Impact of erbium doping on critical current density and constituent phase in BSCCO superconductors

This work systematically examines the influence of partial substitution of calcium (Ca) by erbium (Er) on the structural integrity and superconducting performance of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ (BSCCO) high-temperature superconductors. Samples were synthesized through the conventional solid-state reaction method and characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, resistivity, and magnetization measurements. Despite the close effective ionic radii of Er and Ca, experimental results revealed that increasing Er content led to a deterioration of the superconducting phase and the emergence of semicon ducting characteristics. Quantitative analyses demonstrated a notable reduction in critical current density (Jc), with undoped BSCCO samples exhibiting approximately 14% higher Jc values under equivalent conditions. These findings suggest that while ionic size considerations may permit Er substitution from a stoichiometric perspective, the structural and superconducting phase stability of the BSCCO matrix is adversely affected by Er incorporation.