Effect of CuF₂ on the Synthesis and Superconducting Properties of (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀ Bulk Ceramic Samples

Bulk polycrystalline samples with Bi1.72Pb0.34Sr1.87Ca1.91Cu3.13O9.83−x F x (0.00≤x≤0.51) were prepared by a solid-state route using CuF2 as a fluorine source. CuF2 was introduced in the precursor powders either by direct mixing with the other starting reagents or by addition to precalcined precursors. In both cases, CuF2 resulted in a clear lowering of the reaction temperature. The superconducting and secondary phase grains are larger in the CuF2 doped samples but the critical transition temperature and the lattice parameters of the high T c phase are not affected. EDS analysis shows that the fluorine is concentrated in SrF2 particles.