Abstract:
Bulk superconducting samples of type Tl2Ba2Ca 2Cu3-xFexO10-δ; with 0 x 0.4, have been prepared using a single step of solid-state reaction. The prepared samples have been characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microprobe analysis (MPA). The tetragonal structure of Tl-2223 did not change with the partial replacement of Cu 2+ by Fe3+ ions, whereas the lattice parameters were found to vary as function of Fe-content. The superconducting transition temperature Tc determined from electrical resistivity and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements shows suppression in its value as Fecontent increases. The suppression in Tc was attributed to the magnetic disorder and Cooperpairs breaking. The critical current density Jc and field irreversibility Bir were calculated as function of Fe-content. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.