Observation of high-Tc superconductivity in inhomogeneous combinatorial ceramics

Iranmanesh, Mitra; Zhigadlo, Nikolai D.; Tohsophon, Thanaporn; Kirtley, John R.; Assenmacher, Wilfried; Mader, Werner; Hulliger, Jürg (2019). Observation of high-Tc superconductivity in inhomogeneous combinatorial ceramics. Solid state sciences, 88, pp. 6-12. Elsevier 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2018.12.003

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A single-sample synthesis concept based on multi-element ceramic samples can produce a variety of local products. When applied to cuprate superconductors (SC), statistical modelling predicts the occurrence of possible compounds in a concentration range of ∼50 ppm. In samples with such low concentrations, determining which compositions are superconducting is a challenging task and requires local probes or separation techniques. Here, we report results from samples with seven components: BaO2, CaCO3, SrCO3, La2O3, PbCO3, ZrO2 and CuO oxides and carbonates, starting from different grain sizes. The reacted ceramics show different phases, particular grain growth, as well as variations in homogeneity and superconducting properties. High-Tc superconductivity up to 118 K was found. Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) in combination with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) can assign “Pb1223” and “(Sr,Ca,Ba)0.7-1.0CuO2” phases in inhomogeneous samples milled with 10 mm ball sizes. Rather uniform samples featuring strong grain growth were obtained with 3 mm ball sizes, resulting in Tc ∼70 K superconductivity of the “La(Ba,Ca)2Cu3Ox” based phase. Scanning SQUID microscopy (SSM) establishes locally formed superconducting areas at a level of a few microns in inhomogeneous superconducting particles captured by a magnetic separation technique. The present results demonstrate a new synthetic approach for attaining high-Tc superconductivity in compounds without Bi, Tl, Hg, or the need for high-pressure synthesis.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP)

UniBE Contributor:

Iranmanesh, Mitra, Zhigadlo, Nikolai, Tohsophon, Thanaporn, Hulliger, Jürg

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology
500 Science > 540 Chemistry

ISSN:

1293-2558

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Franziska Bornhauser-Rufer

Date Deposited:

26 Feb 2020 12:38

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:36

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2018.12.003

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.140612

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/140612

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