Properties of Pb-Doped Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O Superconductors

The effect of Pb-doping of the new high-T c Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductors prepared by conventional solid-state reactions has been studied. A zero resistance transition temperature of 110 K has been achieved for a sample heat treatment of 845°C for 300 h. The sample contains the high-T c phase (Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O x ) as the major phase plus the low-T c phase (Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O x ) and other compounds as minor phases. The critical current density at 100 K in a zero magnetic field is 32 A/cm2, which is much larger than that of the Pb-free sample.