Comparative Study of Electrical and Structural Properties of Solar-Sintered and Conventionally Processed Bi-2223 Superconductors

In contrast to the conventional solid-state preparation, this work investigates the structural and electrical properties of Bi-2223 superconductors made using a sun sintering technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) examination revealed that the solar-sintered samples had more sharpness and intensity, with the average peak intensity some 1520 percent higher, which denotes better crystallinity and purity of the phases. The resistivity verses temperature results indicated a higher critical temperature (Tc 110 +- 0.002K) of the solar-sintered material as opposed to 110 +- 0.002K of the conventionally processed material. The sample that had undergone solar-sintering had much lower resistivity above the transition, with R 0.019 m-1 at 300K compared to 0.024m-1 at 300K in the conventional sample. Additionally, I-V measurements at 77 K showed that the solar- sintered sample had a critical current density (Jc) of 20300 A/cm2, which was better than the conventional sample. Such improvements are explained by the fact that, grain connectivity is better, there is less weak links and the flux pinning of the solar-sintered structure is also better. The findings broadly indicate the capabilities of solar-assisted sintering as an efficient and sustainable technique of producing high performance Bi-2223 superconductors, which could be used in high performance in power transmission, magnets and in cryogenic electronics..