Effect of Adding Ag Nanoparticles onto Magnetic and Structural Properties of BSCCO Superconducting Compound

Effect of adding silver nanoparticles on Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ superconductor phase by solid state reaction technique. It was studied the significant variations in the superconducting, magnetic and structural properties of Bi-2223 phase. Ag NPs concentration of tiny particles varied, (0 - 1,25) % from the total weight mass of the BPSCCO compound were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and EDX spectrum measurements. It was found that adding Ag nanoparticles to BSCCO was enhanced the (Bi, Pb)-2223 phase formation up to x=1.25 wt%. On the other hand, the low concentrations of Ag nanoparticles of 0.25 wt% retarded the high-T_c phase formation and (T_c) measured that had the maximum improvement in Tc for most samples. The surface morphology investigated were examined by SEM, which the grain size increased with an increase Ag NPs, while the grain size examination showed that both the size and number of voids were reduced. Magnetization variance was measured of the samples by M - T curve, where the highest value for x = 1.25 wt%, and it become clear when the magnetic and resistance transition points are close to each other. Moreover, Critical current density (J_c) characteristic curves were measured at temperature range (2-150) K.