The impact of the addition of Bi2Te3 nanoparticles on the structural and the magnetic properties of the Bi-2223 high-Tc superconductor

The polycrystalline granular BSCCO high T_c superconductors (HTSC) have limitations in various applications. These limitations appear due to the flux pinning's weakness and the weak links between the grains comparatively in high temperatures and high applied magnetic fields. Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles are artificially introduced into the Bi-2223 HTCS matrix to be employed as effective flux pinning centers to enhance the flux pinning capability and the critical current density. The effect of the additive of Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles on the structural and physical properties of Bi-2223 were investigated for the polycrystalline (Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_10+δ)_1-x/(Bi₂Te₃)_x where (x = 0.00,0.01,0.02& 0.03). The phase structure/formation, volume fraction, the lattice constants were described by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) measurements. Diamagnetic signal has been investigated with two onset temperatures (T_c1&T_c2) for the common BSCCO phases (Bi-2223 and Bi-2212) which confirm the XRD obtained data without any indication for unwanted impurities. The magnetic interactions between Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles addition and the superconductor matrix are discussed at 5 and 50 K. The relation between the microstructure, BSCCO phase's contents, the hysteresis loops, the calculated critical current densities, and the flux densities were also reported for the samples. Nano-Bi₂Te₃ shows a great impact on the BSCCO superconducting properties and influences its flux densities and the flux pinning mechanisms as reported experimentally and theoretically. Consequently, the additive of Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles must be carefully controlled to balance the microstructure and superconducting parameters of the BSCCO HTSC.