Studies on Nano Crystalline Ceramic Superconductor LaZrYBaCa₂Cu₃O₁₁ at Three Different Temperatures

Anitha S. Nair, Vinila V. S., Sheelakumari Issac, Reenu Jacob, Anusha Mony, Harikrishnan G. Nair, Sam Rajan, Satheesh D. J., Jayakumari Isac

Centre for Condensed Matter, Department of Physics, CMS College, Kottayam, India.
Department of Chemistry, UC College, Aluva, India.
Department of Physics, CMS College, Kottayam, India.
Department of Physics, D.B. College, Parumala, India.

DOI: 10.4236/jcpt.2014.42016                

Abstract

The high temperature superconductors are ceramic materials with layers of Copper-oxide spaced by layers containing Barium and other atoms. The Yttrium compound is somewhat unique in that it has a regular crystal structure while the Lanthanum version is classified as a solid solution. The Yttrium compound is often called the 1-2-3 superconductor because of the ratios of its constituents. Lanthanum Zirconium Yttrium Barium Calcium Copper Oxide (LaZrYBaCaCuO) was prepared by the usual solid state reaction method. In order to show the viability of the proposed method, super-conducting powder was prepared in special furnace. The sample was analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Particle size determination, SEM and EDX. The comparison of XRD results with JCPDS files confirmed the orthorhombic structure of the sample with a ≠ b ≠ c and α = β = γ = 90°. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies revealed that its particle size is in the nanometer range. It also confirmed the calculated value of particle size from Debye Scherrer’s formula. EDX spectrum shows the elements of the sample. X-ray instrumental peak broadening analysis was used to evaluate the size and lattice strain by the Williamson-Hall Plot method.

Keywords

Lanthanum Zirconium Yttrium Barium Calcium Copper Oxide (LaZrYBaCaCuO), XRD, SEM, EDX, Debye Scherrer’s Formula, Instrumental Broadening, Williamson-Hall Plot Method

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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