Superconducting and microstructure properties of Eu2O3 nanoparticles substitution in low density Bi(Pb)-2223 superconductor

The effects of Eu2O3 nanoparticles substitution on superconducting and structural properties of low density Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2(Ca2-xEux)Cu3Oy cuprates superconductors where x = 0.00, 0.0025, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.07 have been investigated. All samples used in this research have been prepared by solid state reaction technique. A lowdensity sample was formed by including crystalline sucrose during the pelletization process and subsequently subjected to combustion at a temperature of 400 degrees C for a duration of two hours. Several characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), four-point probe method and AC Susceptibility (ACS) were performed on all prepared samples. Phase examination by Xray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the crystallographic structure has shifted slightly from tetragonal to orthorhombic. As the concentration of Eu nanoparticles increased, the quantity of 2223 phase exhibited a consistent decline, suggesting that the incorporation of Eu nanoparticles promotes the formation of 2212 phases. The crystallite size were estimated through Williamson-Hall and Scherer equations. The FESEM images reveal that an increase in Eu concentration leads to a reduction in the size of plate-like grains, resulting in a more random and dispersed arrangement without any specific alignment. Sample with x = 0.0025 Eu2O3 nanoparticles yields the highest Jc value compared to Eu-free sample. The present results show that the optimal performance sample was found at sample with x = 0.0025.