Thermal stability in high-Tc coil and magnet design by process control of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes

It has been found that the degree of thermal stability of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag pancake-shaped coils at 77 K can be determined by controlling the amount of matrix and superconducting materials during processing. The intermediate deformation step between sintering stages has been found to be crucial in optimizing the performance of the processed composite tapes as well as governing the thermal stability of the subsequently made pancake-shaped coils. Results obtained from numerical analysis of the finite element method has shown that monolayer coils produced from Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag composite tapes are thermally very stable with high values of the fill factor. However, increasing the number of co-wound tapes would require either a reduction in the fill factor or an increase in cooling rate for thermal stability to be sustained as would otherwise be achieved with the metallurgically same single tape.     

Field and temperature dependence of the current-voltage characteristics of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10/Ag multifilamentary tapes

The current-voltage characteristics of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀/Ag multifilamentary tapes were measured at different temperatures close to the critical temperature and in different applied magnetic fields up to 1000 Oe. The data were interpreted in terms of thermally activated flux creep by using an intermediate phenomenological model that takes into account the collective pinning. Temperature and field dependences of the pinning potential and of the collective pinning exponent were determined through numerical analysis.     

Thermal stability in high-T c coil and magnet design by process control of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes

It has been found that the degree of thermal stability of Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag pancake-shaped coils at 77 K can be determined by controlling the amount of matrix and superconducting materials during processing. The intermediate deformation step between sintering stages has been found to be crucial in optimizing the performance of the processed composite tapes as well as governing the thermal stability of the subsequently made pancake-shaped coils. Results obtained from numerical analysis of the finite element method has shown that monolayer coils produced from Bi(Pb)-2223/Ag composite tapes are thermally very stable with high values of the fill factor. However, increasing the number of co-wound tapes would require either a reduction in the fill factor or an increase in cooling rate for thermal stability to be sustained as would otherwise be achieved with the metallurgically same single tape.     

Microstructure of Ag/Bi(Pb)-2223 Tapes Prepared by Solid-State Reaction

The processing of Ag/Bi(Pb)-2223 tapes via the prevailing solid state reaction was investigated. A precursor powder of the composition Bi_1.86Pb_0.26Sr_1.96Ca_1.95Cu_2.97O₁₀₊ containing mainly Bi-2223 phase was employed. Particular attention was devoted to the microstructural properties of the tapes subjected to rolling and subsequent heat treatment in one, two, and three steps, respectively. A sharp texturing gradient exists in the superconducting cores, and the repeated treatment leads to deterioration of the superconducting properties. The latter effect is ascribed to the formation of periodic defects arising during the repeated rolling of the sintered superconducting core.     

Preparation and characterization of silver clad (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O 2223 superconducting tapes with high critical current density

Silver clad Bi-2223 tapes with consistently high critical current densities of over 30,000 A/cm² at 77 K and zero field were prepared by powder-in-tube (PIT) technique. Powder XRD, electron microscopy, a.c. susceptibility and critical current measurements were used to study the phase assemblage, microstructure and transport properties of these tapes at various stages of processing. The precursor powder for PIT process was prepared by a sol-gel route by acrylate method using freshly prepared nitrates of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu. The carbon content in the powder was minimized by subjecting it under dynamic vacuum calcination followed by heating in free flow of oxygen for long durations with intermittent grindings. The choice of initial stoichiometry, high reactivity of the precursor, effective removal of carbon, choice of phase assemblage at the filling stage and the multistage thermomechanical processing at optimized conditions were found to be responsible for the high critical current density. The work was done under the National Superconductivity Programme funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi.     

Temperature dependence of ac-losses in multifilamentary Bi-2223 tapes between 4.2 K and Tc

The ac-losses of twisted multifilamentary Bi-2223/Ag tapes were measured in the temperature range between 4.2 K and the critical temperature T_c∼110 K. Stacks of tapes in perpendicular and in parallel field were investigated. The loss measurement is performed by the standard magnetisation technique, the absolute loss value is obtained by a calorimetric calibration measurement. For a fixed ac-field amplitude the energy loss per cycle Q is determined, at a given temperature, as a function of frequency f. The extrapolation to f→0 gives the hysteresis loss. Coupling losses are obtained from the slope of the loss curve Q(f) in the low frequency range ωτ?1. The measured total losses as a function of temperature show, at small field amplitudes, a minimum around 50 K. This is explained by the different temperature dependence of hysteresis and coupling losses. While coupling losses decrease with increasing temperature, hysteresis losses increase for field amplitudes below the penetration field. Coupling losses show a much weaker temperature dependence than the silver conductivity, which is explained by the existence of an interfacial resistance between filaments and silver matrix. Measured hysteresis losses were compared with available theoretical models and good agreement was found in parallel field.     

The influence of the first heat-treatment on the critical current density of (Bi,Pb)-2223/Ag superconducting tapes

Optimization heat-treatments have been performed on multi-filament Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes under 1 bar total gas pressure, the oxygen partial pressure being 8.5%. In a first heat-treatment (HT1), the tapes were sintered within 822-838 °C for 1-50 h. After intermediate deformation, all the samples underwent the second heat-treatment (HT2) at 825 °C and 830 °C for 20 h followed by a thermal sliding procedure. The relative content of the phases present in HT1 samples was measured by XRD. It was found that the Bi-2212 phase content after HT1 strongly influences the values of J_c after HT2. There is a correlation between the amount of Bi-2212 phase after HT1 and the final J_c values after HT2. A maximum of J_c was found for a ratio of 0.15 between Bi-2212 and Bi-2223.     

Preparation and characterization of glassy and superconducting (Bi,Pb, Sb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O systems

Superconducting compounds with nominal compositions Bi_1.7Pb_0.3Sr_1.6Ca₂ Cu_3.4O _x and Bi_1.9Sb_0.1Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _y have been synthesized by ceramic and glass routes and characterized by X-ray diffraction, electrical resistivity and dielectric constant measurements. The zero-electrical resistance temperatures are about 70K. The dielectric constant of the glasses at room temperature is around 30.     

Investigations of chemical interaction between Bi-based 2212 and (RE)Ba2Cu3O7 high Tc superconducting materials

Composite materials have been synthesized by mixing 90% (or 95%) YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and 10% (or 5%) Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈ by weight, and firing at 900°C to promote grain growth by inducing a liquid phase (Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O₈) in the system. The influence of the amount of liquid phase on the X-ray diffraction data and electrical properties is reported. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses are also reported. The YBiBa₂O₆ phase is formed during the heat treatment and introduces additional chemical heterogeneities at the grain boundaries. A previously reported 2212-related superconducting phase, Bi₂(Sr,Ba)₂(Ca,Y)Cu₂O_8+y, could also be formed during the synthesis process, and its effect on the electrical resistance versus temperature measurements is discussed. Attempts to substitute RE ions (Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, Ho³⁺) for Y³⁺ in YBiBa₂O₆ have been successful and are reported in an appendix section. X-ray diffraction data are also reported. EDX analyses have been performed specifically for a typical ErBiBa₂O₆ compound and reveal the presence of a new Er₂Ba₄O₇ phase.     

Intrinsic critical current of Ag-clad (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Oz tapes

True zero-field critical current densityJ _c of a well-characterized BPSCCO/Ag tape has been determined by means of high-resolution ac susceptibility in the temperature range 77–110 K. The resultant values (30,000 A/cm² at 77 K) agree well with the transportJ _c of the same tape. Because of a very thin BPSCCO, the coreJ _c determined from the imaginary part of the ac susceptibility is nearly the same as the zero field one. AllJ _c 's follow the same (1-T/T _c )ⁿ withn=1.45 dependence.J _c shows an approximateH ^–0.5 field dependence over the explored temperature range. Accordingly, the variations ofJ _c withT andH seem to be determined by the flux creep.     

Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)0.05Zr0.47Ti0.48O3压电陶瓷的温度稳定性研究

探讨了硬性添加物MnO2、软性添加物Nb2O5和两性添加物Cr2O3对锑锰锆钛酸铅Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)0.05Zr0.47Ti0.48O3(简称PMSZT5)压电陶瓷的相组成及温度稳定性的影响.研究结果发现:各掺杂组成在900℃的煅烧温度下,都可以得到钙钛矿结构.随着各掺杂离子的增大,四方相含量减少,准同型相界向三方相移动.综合考虑离子掺杂对PMSZT5压电陶瓷的机电性能及温度稳定性的研究结果表明:锰过量较其它铌和铬掺杂的温度稳定性更好,机电性能最佳的PMSZT5+0.1wt%MnO2的组成,ε33T/ε0=1560,d33=350pC/N,Kp=0.63,25~80℃的fr、K31和d31平均温度系数分别为72×10-6/℃、0.027%/℃和0.100%/℃.     

Structural and electrical characterizations of Bi(Zn0.5Ti0.5)O3 doped lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric films with enhanced ferroelectric properties

Bi(Zn_0.5,Ti_0.5)O₃ (BZT) doped Pb(Zr_0.4,Ti_0.6)O₃ (PZT) films were fabricated using a chemical solution deposition method and were characterized intensively in the present work. It was discovered that the room temperature remnant polarization and zero-field longitudinal piezoelectric constant of the BZT-doped PZT film were enhanced by 23% and 30%, respectively, as compared with those of the undoped PZT film prepared under the same experiment conditions. In order to explain the improved ferroelectric properties, the phase structures of the BZT-PZT and undoped PZT films were experimentally investigated in a broad temperature range (from 30 to 600 °C) by using the high temperature two-dimensional X-ray diffraction method. It was found that the improvement in ferroelectricity does not correspond to an elevated Curie temperature (T_C) or a substantially larger tetragonality (c/a). The difference on the change of T_C by doping of Bi-based perovskites in PZT solid solutions between this work and some previous investigations was explained on the basis of Zr/Ti ratio, and the necessity of an in-depth theoretical investigation was addressed.     

Morphotropic phase boundary in high temperature ferroelectric xBi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 − yPbZrO3 − zPbTiO3 perovskite ternary solid solution

A bismuth and lead oxide based perovskite ternary solid solution xBi(Zn_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ − yPbZrO₃ − zPbTiO₃ (xBZT − yPZ − zPT) was investigated as an attempt to develop a high T_C ferroelectric material for piezoelectric sensor and actuator applications. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and tetragonal phases was determined through an XRD study on a pseudobinary line 0.1BZT − 0.9[xPT − (1 − x)PZ] for composition 0.1Bi(Zn_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ − 0.5PbZrO₃ − 0.4PbTiO₃. Enhanced piezoelectric and ferroelectric activities were observed for MPB composition with dielectric constant ε_r′ ~ 23,000 at Curie temperature (T_C) ≈ 320 °C, remanent polarization (P_r) = 35 μC/cm², piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) = 300 pC/N, unipolar strain = 0.15%, and electromechanical coupling coefficient (k_P) = 0.45.     

TiCr1.2(V–Fe)0.6—a novel hydrogen storage alloy with high capacity

To develop a new alloy with high hydrogen storage capacity, partial Cr in TiCr_1.8 was substituted by V–Fe alloy. X-ray diffraction and metallography observation proved that the substitution did not change the phase constitution of TiCr_1.2(V–F)_0.6. It still remained in its initial Laves phase related body centred cubic structure. Pressure–composition–temperature tests showed that the hydrogen storage capacity could reach up to 3.2 wt% and its reversible capacity to about 2.0 wt%. TG-DSC tests showed that there are two kinds of tetrahedral site for hydrogen atoms to locate.     

Polar nanodomains and relaxor behaviour in (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–xPbTiO3 crystals with x = 0.3–0.5

Phase transitions and dielectric properties of the (1 − x)Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–xPbTiO₃ crystals with x = 0.3–0.5 are studied. The solid solutions in this composition range are shown to be relaxor ferroelectrics. The crystals with low x demonstrate a diffused maximum in the temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity at T_m. T_m varies with frequency according to the Vogel–Fulcher law. The polarizing microscopy investigations reveal a first-order phase transition from the relaxor phase to the low-temperature ferroelectric phase at T_C, which is several degrees below T_m. The permittivity peak in the crystals with x = 0.5 is sharp, and T_m is equal to T_C and does not depend on frequency, as is typical of the transition from a ferroelectric to an ordinary paraelectric phase. Nevertheless, the relaxor, but not the paraelectric, phase is observed at T > T_m. This conclusion is confirmed by the observation of the temperature behaviour of complex dielectric permittivity at T > T_m, which is typical of relaxors and related to the existence of polar nanodomains.     

Oscillating magnetoresistance of (Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox ceramics doped with Mn

The magnetoresistance nearT _c(T _cR=0=100 K) has been measured on ceramic samples of (Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂(Cu_0.98Mn_0.02)₃O_x (X-Ray diffractions and measurements by a SQUID magnetometer give almost single 2223 phase) in magnetic fields, up to 60 kOe using a dc four-probe technique. We observed periodic oscillations superimposed on a monotonie growth of the magnetoresistance with the amplitude decreasing with increase in magnetic field. Fourier transforms of the magnetoresistance data gives two sharply pronounced periods, 10.7 and 14.7 kOe. Apparently these oscillations are connected with inhomogeneous distributions of Mn in superconducting grains with phase slippage at grain boundaries.     

Enhanced ferro- and piezoelectric properties in (100)-textured Nb-doped Pb(ZrxTi1 − x)O3 films with compositions at morphotropic phase boundary

To develop high-performance piezoelectric films on conventional Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates, sol-gel-derived highly [100]-textured Nb-doped Pb(Zr_xTi_1 − x)O₃ (PNZT) thin films with different Zr/Ti ratios ranging from 20/80 to 80/20 were prepared and characterized. The phase structure, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of the PZNT films were investigated as a function of Zr/Ti ratios, and it was confirmed that there was distinct phase transition of the PNZT system from tetragonal to rhombohedral when the Zr/Ti ratio varied across the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The Nb-doped PZT films showed enhanced remanent polarization but reduced coercive field, whose best values reached 75 μC/cm² and 82 kV/cm, respectively at the composition close to MPB. In addition, the [100]-textured PNZT film at MPB also shows a high piezoelectric coefficient up to 161 pm/V. All these properties are superior to those for undoped PZT films.     

Inorganic phosphate crystal Na15−n[Al(PO4)2F2]3−n[Ti(PO4)2F2]n (0 ≤ n < 1): A novel cation exchanger with high exchange selectivity for Li and Pb ions

A series of inorganic phosphate crystals have been hydrothermally synthesized, which have high chemical stability and can keep their crystal structure after acid/base treatments. Its cation-exchange properties have been investigated and the results show that it is an excellent ion exchanger with high exchange capacities for H⁺, Li⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions (12.74, 6.98 and 3.92 mequiv./g, respectively). Selective extractions of Li⁺ and Pb²⁺ from the synthetic mixtures containing (Li⁺, Sr⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺) and (Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺) have been observed. The reasons of the high exchange selection of NATP for Li⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions have been discussed.     

Effects of growth conditions on the domain structure and dielectric properties of (1 − x)Pb(Sc1/2Nb1/2)O3–xPbTiO3 single crystals

The studies of the (1 − x)Pb(Sc_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃–xPbTiO₃ (PSN–PT) single crystals reveal that the chemical and physical properties of the materials are affected by the growth conditions. By the measurements of the dielectric constant as a function of temperature upon cooling, it is found that crystals grown from the same charged stoichiometric composition (x = 0.425), but under different flux environments (i.e. the composition of flux and the flux to PSN–PT ratios are varied), show anomalies (i.e. phase transitions) at different temperatures. This phenomenon is attributed to the complex local chemical structure of the PSN–PT solid solution single crystals with B-site random occupancy of three different cations (Sc³⁺, Nb⁵⁺ and Ti⁴⁺). The dielectric and domain structure of the PSN–PT crystals with composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) are investigated, showing much more complex situations compared with Pb(Sc_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃.