Thipvan Muangon. Effect of Pr doping on the superconductivity of Bi2[subscript]Sr2[subscript]CaCu2[subscript]Oy[subscript](Bi2212). Master's Degree(Applied Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Effect of Pr doping on the superconductivity of Bi2[subscript]Sr2[subscript]CaCu2[subscript]Oy[subscript](Bi2212)
Abstract:
The purpose of this work is to study the effect of Pr doping on the
superconductivity of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy (BSCCO) prepared by standard solid state
reaction method. The mixed powders were calcined at 800 °C for 24 hours and
sintered at 845 °C for 120 hours.
The crystal structure, microstructure, and composition of the products, and the
oxidation state of praseodymium and copper were determined, as well as their
superconducting properties such as resistivity(ρ) and DC molar magnetization(M).
The results showed that all samples consisted mainly of the Bi2Sr2Ca1-xPrxCu2Oy
(Bi2212) phase with a minor impurity Bi2201 phase. The occurrence of grains with a
platelet-like structure was a signature of the Bi2201 phase formation from the Bi2212
matrix, mostly due to the prolonged sintering process.
The ESR results together with ESR simulation suggested that some Pr ions might
enter the Ca site as Pr4+. The average oxidation state of copper was 2.11-2.24 and the
total oxygen content of sample (8+δ) was found between 8.4-8.8, depending on the
composition.
The superconducting properties were observed from Tc which could be
determined by using the four-point probe and SQUID techniques. The results from
both methods revealed that Tc decreased with increasing doping concentration. The
decrease was due to the fact that the Pr valence was greater than +3 and thus resulted
in a decrease in hole concentration of the Cu-O2 layers.