Preparation of Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O oxide superconductors by coprecipitation of nanosize oxalate precursor powders in the aqueous core of water-in-oil microemulsions

We describe a new technique for the synthesis of ultrahomogeneous nanoparticles of precursor oxalate powder by coprecipitation in the aqueous core of a water-in-oil microemulsion for the preparation of Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2223) oxide superconductor. This process ensures a uniform mixing of metal cations down to a scale of at least 10 nm. This finely dispersed precursor powder results in phase pure (2223) oxide superconductor after proper heat treatment.