Açikel, S.; Cumhur, I.; Öztürk, A.; Başoğlu, M.; Düzgün, I.

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.

Başoğlu, M.; Düzgün, I.; Öztürk, A.

Superconducting specimens of Y3-xLuxBa5Cu8O18+δ (where x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5) ceramic were fabricated via the solid-state route (SSR). The structural and superconducting features of the specimens were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Measurements and calculations were carried out for electrical resistance (R-T) and DC magnetization (M-H). The onset critical transition temperature (Tconset) of the specimens dropped to lower temperatures with the addition of lutetium (Lu). The estimated critical current density (Jc) values of the specimens, depending on the magnetic field, were extracted from the DC magnetization data. The changes in average grain size and bulk critical current density were examined. Improvement was observed in the bulk critical current density with increasing levels of Lu/Y substitution.