Effect of In2O3 on the grain connectivity and superconducting behavior of Bi2Sr2−xInxCaCu2O8+d

Abstract

The effect of In2O3 on grain connectivity and superconducting properties of Bi-2212 was investigated. Indium was intentionally doped on the Sr-site of BSCCO at doping levels from x = 0 to x = 0.8. Accessing the Sr lattice site in BSCCO provides useful control on the possible effect of indium on its superconducting behavior and microstructural properties. Results show that the superconductivity persists in BSCCO even at high indium concentration (x = 0.8). However, secondary phases form at x ≥ 0.4 indium concentration affecting normal resistivity, magnetic susceptibility response and superconducting transition temperature of BSCCO. Formation of secondary phases weakens the diamagnetic intergrain coupling. An apparent increase in the formation of micron-sized grains is related to the increased sinterability of BSCCO with indium doping. The enhanced sinterability of BSCCO with indium provides possibility of synthesizing thin films with reduced thermal heat treatment.