The effects of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on fabrication of Ag/Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sn 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 wire

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effects of adding 0.1 %wt CNT on fabrication of Ag/Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sn 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 wire. The method used in this research is powder in tube (PIT). The PIT consists of several process stages; preparation of precursor, compaction of precursor in tube, wire rolling, and heat treatment. Powder mixing Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sn 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10 and CNT using mortar agate for 3 hours. Rolling is done twice, up to 5 and 2.6 mm wire diameter. The heat treatment consists of the calcination at 820 °C for 20 hours and sintering at 850 °C with time variation of 9 and 30 hours. Characterization of superconductivity was performed by using cryogenic magnet to determine the critical temperature (Tc), SEM-EDX to analyze morphology, and XRD to discover the phase formed. From the research, it was found that the sample sintered for 30 hours with the diameter of 5 mm produced Tc onset = 109,17 K, with phase formed is Bi(Pb)-2212. While the samples sintered for 9 hours with a diameter of 5 mm produced Tc onset = 79.5 K, with phase Bi(Pb)-2212. Moreover, the addition of CNT reduced the value of grain size. But, sample with 2.6 mm in diameter didn't show superconductivity properties.