Enhanced Transport Critical Current Density of Tl-1212 Bulk Superconductor Added with Nickel-Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract:

High temperature superconductor Tl-1212 with nominal starting composition (Tl_0.85Cr_0.15)Sr₂CaCu₂O_7-δ was prepared with high purity oxide powders using a solid state reaction method. Small amounts of nickel-zinc ferrite nanoparticles (Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄) at compositions 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.10 wt. % were added into Tl-1212 superconductors. The effect of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles’ addition on the critical temperature (T_c), transport critical current density (J_c), phase formation, and morphology was studied. The samples were characterized using electrical resistance measurement, transport critical current density measurement, powder X-ray diffraction method (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Zero-resistance critical temperature (T_c-zero) was found to rise from 97 K to 99 K with increasing Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles concentration. The highest value recorded for transport critical current density (J_c) was 3,120 mA/cm² at 77 K, which exhibited by sample with 0.02 wt. % of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles. All samples showed a dominant Tl-1212 phase and exhibited tetragonal lattice structure in the P4/mmm space group. SEM micrographs showed close-packed microstructure with low porosity. EDX mapping showed that Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were well distributed in the Tl-1212 samples. This study demonstrated that Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles have functioned as effective flux pinning centers to Tl-1212 superconductors and thus significantly enhanced its J_c.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 317)
• Pages: 125-130
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.317.125
• Online since: May 2021
• Authors: Wei Kong*, Nurul Auni Khalid, Wani Nadhirah Titingan Nizam, Kim Yeow Tshai, Ing Kong, Eng Hwa Yap, Roslan Abd-Shukor
• Keywords: High Temperature Superconductor Tl-1212, Nickel-Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles, Transport Critical Current Density

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