Fabrication and the effect of Au nanoparticles on Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductor

In this paper, Au nanoparticles are synthesized by solution method. The effect of these nanoparticles on the Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy superconductor properties has been investigated. The critical current density, activation energy and room temperature resistivity were measured by the standard four-probe method. The microstructure and morphology of samples have been studied by X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray. The results of X-ray diffraction patterns show that the low amount of Au and annealing time of 72h enhance the fraction of Bi -2223 phase. Also crystallography studies showed that the gold has entered the superconductor's structure and the results were in consistency with superconductor's SEM images.