Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method
This study presents a novel modified thermal decomposition (MTD) technique for the synthesis of bulk YBa2Cu3O7-δ (Y-123) ceramics with varying samarium oxide (Sm2O3) additions (0.0,0.1,0.3,0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 wt%) under ambient conditions. A structural analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld...
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012207 |
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| author | Ryad Alhadei Mohamed Arebat Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik Yap Siew Hong Chen Soo Kien Lim Kean Pah Hussien Baqiah Fatma Barood Syahrul Humaidi Hoo Keong Peh Abdul Halim Shaari Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin Muralidhar Miryala |
| author_facet | Ryad Alhadei Mohamed Arebat Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik Yap Siew Hong Chen Soo Kien Lim Kean Pah Hussien Baqiah Fatma Barood Syahrul Humaidi Hoo Keong Peh Abdul Halim Shaari Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin Muralidhar Miryala |
| author_sort | Ryad Alhadei Mohamed Arebat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents a novel modified thermal decomposition (MTD) technique for the synthesis of bulk YBa2Cu3O7-δ (Y-123) ceramics with varying samarium oxide (Sm2O3) additions (0.0,0.1,0.3,0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 wt%) under ambient conditions. A structural analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement confirmed the dominant formation of the orthorhombic Y-123 phase, accompanied by minor secondary phases, such as Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) and BaCuO2. Notably, at 0.1 wt% Sm2O3, a distinct Sm1.15Ba1.85Cu3O7 (Sm-123) phase emerged, contributing to enhanced phase stability and effective flux pinning. The optimized 0.1 wt% sample exhibited the highest oxygen content (∼6.87), largest crystallite size (∼1865 Å), and lowest lattice strain, factors directly linked to enhanced superconducting properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed significant grain growth (∼8.14 μm) and enhanced grain connectivity at 0.1 wt%, while higher doping levels caused porosity and microstructural deterioration. High-resolution imaging further revealed zigzag grain boundaries and nanoscale inclusions acting as flux pinning centers. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the uniform elemental distribution and successful Sm incorporation. The 0.1 wt% Sm2O3-added sample achieved the highest critical current density (Jc = 5.62 kA/cm2 at 77 K), with a narrow superconducting transition width (ΔTc ≈ 2.96 K), a Tc-onset of 92.21 K, and a Tc-zero of 89.25 K, indicating minimal weak-link behavior. These findings demonstrate that low-level Sm2O3 addition effectively introduces flux pinning centers while preserving crystal integrity and oxygen stoichiometry. The resulting enhancement in superconducting performance underscores the scalability and efficacy of the MTD route for producing high-performance Y-123 ceramics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef45cc9fd075425bb3b8b9125c29a524 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2238-7854 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef45cc9fd075425bb3b8b9125c29a5242025-08-20T03:53:52ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-05-01369168918110.1016/j.jmrt.2025.05.065Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition methodRyad Alhadei Mohamed Arebat0Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik1Yap Siew Hong2Chen Soo Kien3Lim Kean Pah4Hussien Baqiah5Fatma Barood6Syahrul Humaidi7Hoo Keong Peh8Abdul Halim Shaari9Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin10Muralidhar Miryala11Superconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, El-Mergib University, Al Khums City, LibyaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Superconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaShandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, No. 566 University Rd. West, Dezhou, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Azzaytuna University, Tarhuna City, LibyaPostgraduate Program (Physics), FMIPA, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20222, IndonesiaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaSuperconductor & Thin Films Laboratory, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaMaterials for Energy and Environmental Laboratory, Superconducting Materials, Shibaura Institute of Technology, 3 Chome-7-5 Toyosu, Koto, Tokyo, 135-8548, JapanThis study presents a novel modified thermal decomposition (MTD) technique for the synthesis of bulk YBa2Cu3O7-δ (Y-123) ceramics with varying samarium oxide (Sm2O3) additions (0.0,0.1,0.3,0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 wt%) under ambient conditions. A structural analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement confirmed the dominant formation of the orthorhombic Y-123 phase, accompanied by minor secondary phases, such as Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) and BaCuO2. Notably, at 0.1 wt% Sm2O3, a distinct Sm1.15Ba1.85Cu3O7 (Sm-123) phase emerged, contributing to enhanced phase stability and effective flux pinning. The optimized 0.1 wt% sample exhibited the highest oxygen content (∼6.87), largest crystallite size (∼1865 Å), and lowest lattice strain, factors directly linked to enhanced superconducting properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed significant grain growth (∼8.14 μm) and enhanced grain connectivity at 0.1 wt%, while higher doping levels caused porosity and microstructural deterioration. High-resolution imaging further revealed zigzag grain boundaries and nanoscale inclusions acting as flux pinning centers. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the uniform elemental distribution and successful Sm incorporation. The 0.1 wt% Sm2O3-added sample achieved the highest critical current density (Jc = 5.62 kA/cm2 at 77 K), with a narrow superconducting transition width (ΔTc ≈ 2.96 K), a Tc-onset of 92.21 K, and a Tc-zero of 89.25 K, indicating minimal weak-link behavior. These findings demonstrate that low-level Sm2O3 addition effectively introduces flux pinning centers while preserving crystal integrity and oxygen stoichiometry. The resulting enhancement in superconducting performance underscores the scalability and efficacy of the MTD route for producing high-performance Y-123 ceramics.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012207Y-123 ceramicsSm2O3 additionModified thermal decomposition (MTD)Phase formationCritical current density (Jc)Superconductivity enhancement |
| spellingShingle | Ryad Alhadei Mohamed Arebat Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik Yap Siew Hong Chen Soo Kien Lim Kean Pah Hussien Baqiah Fatma Barood Syahrul Humaidi Hoo Keong Peh Abdul Halim Shaari Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin Muralidhar Miryala Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method Journal of Materials Research and Technology Y-123 ceramics Sm2O3 addition Modified thermal decomposition (MTD) Phase formation Critical current density (Jc) Superconductivity enhancement |
| title | Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| title_full | Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| title_fullStr | Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| title_short | Sm2O3-induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk Y-123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| title_sort | sm2o3 induced superconductivity enhancements in bulk y 123 ceramics synthesized via a novel modified thermal decomposition method |
| topic | Y-123 ceramics Sm2O3 addition Modified thermal decomposition (MTD) Phase formation Critical current density (Jc) Superconductivity enhancement |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425012207 |
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