Effect of Sintering Duration on the Thermal Conductivity of (Bi, Pb)-2223 Superconducting Pellets Between 10 and 150 K

The influence of sintering duration on the electrical resistivities and thermal conductivities of (Bi_0.8Pb_0.2)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_9.8+ pellets with 0.11 < < 0.54 is reported between 10 and 150 K. The results indicate a gradual transformation of the 2212 phase to the 2223 phase and this transformation starts within 5 h of sintering in air at 840°C. The thermal conductivity of the pellets sintered for shorter durations display two maxima at T _c0 and around 110 K, respectively. The shape and magnitude of these maxima depend on the relative amount of the 2212 and 2223 phases present in the pellets. While the magnitude of the total thermal conductivity over the measured temperature range is strongly influenced by the duration of sintering, the phonon-dominant nature of heat transport is retained. The relative contribution of the electronic part (_E) to the total thermal conductivity () remains small and does not change appreciably with sintering time.