Superconducting and Normal-State Properties of (Y1−x Bi x )Ba2Cu3O7−δ (x=0.00–0.30)

TLDR: In this paper, the effect of Bi in superconducting transition width was investigated by powder X-ray diffraction method, dc electrical resistance measurements and scanning electron microscopy, and the results showed a broadening of the transition width with increasing Bi content for all samples.

Abstract: The effect of Bi in (Y1−x Bi x )Ba2Cu3O7−δ for x=0.00–0.30 has been investigated by powder X-ray diffraction method, dc electrical resistance measurements and scanning electron microscopy. The resistance versus temperature curves showed metallic behavior for samples with x≤0.20 and semiconductor-like behavior for x=0.25 and 0.30. The resistance versus temperature curves showed onset transition temperature (T c onset) between 89 and 93 K and a broadening of the superconducting-transition width with increasing Bi content for all samples. T c onset decreased linearly indicating a pair-breaking mechanism in T c suppression for x=0 to 0.3. The non-systematic broadening of the transition width may be due to the inhomogeneities in the samples as Bi content was increased. No substitution of Bi for Y was observed.