Chen Soo Kien
Universiti Putra Malaysia

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Influence of Sintering Temperature on Phase Formation and Superconducting Properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ via Thermal Treatment Method Rahayu Emilia Mohamed Khaidir; Aliah Nursyahirah Kamarudin; Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik; Chen Soo Kien; Lim Kean Pah; Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin; Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim; Aris Doyan; Abdul Halim Shaari
Journal of Material Science and Radiation Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): April
Publisher : Balai Publikasi Indonesia

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High-temperature superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi-2212) was successfully prepared using a thermal treatment method, starting with nitrate-based precursors. This study focused on how different sintering temperatures affect the material’s critical temperature, Tc. The process began with a pre-calcination step at 600 °C for 12 hours, followed by calcination at 820 °C for 24 hours. After that, the powder was pressed into pellets and sintered at 830 °C, 840 °C, 850 °C, and 860 °C, each for 24 hours. The Tc-onset values increased with sintering temperature, reaching 50 K at 830 °C, 65 K at 840 °C, and 78 K at 850 °C. SEM images showed closely packed, flake-like grains around 2 μm in size, while XRD analysis confirmed that the sample sintered at 850 °C had the highest Bi-2212 phases as a major phase. Thus, this work outlines the practical steps of the thermal treatment approach and shows how adjusting the sintering temperature can significantly influence the superconducting performance and phase formation of Bi-2212
Effect of SnO2 Addition on YBCO Superconducting Properties through Thermal Treatment Method Aliah Nursyahirah Kamarudin; Tan Kar Yeow; Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik; Chen Soo Kien; Lim Kean Pah; Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin; Nurhidayah Mohd Hapipi; Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim; Aris Doyan; Yap Siew Hong; Abdul Halim Shaari
Journal of Material Science and Radiation Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): April
Publisher : Balai Publikasi Indonesia

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In this study, YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) superconductors were synthesized using a thermal treatment method with the addition of 1.0 wt. % SnO₂. The synthesis of YBCO employed nitrate-based precursors and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping agent to enhance homogeneity during the synthesis process. All samples were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Four-point probe (4PP). TGA results of the pure YBCO sample confirmed the complete transformation of nitrate-based precursors into oxide forms prior to the formation of the YBCO phase. XRD pattern revealed that Y123 as a major phase and Y124 as a minor phase in all samples with orthorhombic crystal structure were preserved. However, the peak intensity of the Y123 was pronounced with the addition of the SnO2 sample, suggesting the enhancement phase formation due to the presence of SnO₂. The electrical resistivity measures revealed a sharp superconducting transition in all samples. However, the reduction in superconducting transition temperatures for the SnO2 addition were observed where the Tc-onset decreased from 91.70 K to 89.25 K for the YBCO and YBCO + 1.0 wt.% of SnO2, respectively. This also exhibited the broadening of transition width, ΔTc indicating the suppression of superconducting properties with SnO₂ inclusion. SEM analysis showed notable differences in microstructure. The pure YBCO sample exhibited a larger average grain size of 1.32 µm, while the YBCO + 1.0 wt. % SnO2 sample formed small and rounded grains with smoother edges, potentially impacting intergranular connectivity and charge transport. Therefore, the addition of 1.0 wt. % SnO2 to YBCO enhanced the formation of the Y123 phase but adversely affected the superconducting transition temperature and microstructural features. These findings highlight the dual role of SnO2 in promoting phase purity while modifying grain morphology and electrical performance, offering insight into the optimization of dopants in high-temperature superconductors
Comparative Study of Y123 Superconductors Synthesized Under Open Air and Oxygen Flow Conditions Aliah Nursyahirah Kamarudin; Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik; Muhammad Azri Khairudin; Chen Soo Kien; Lim Kean Pah; Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin; Abdul Halim Shaari
Journal of Material Science and Radiation Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): December
Publisher : Balai Publikasi Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.56566/jmsr.v1i3.426

Abstract

YBa₂Cu₃O₇₋δ (Y123) superconductors is a widely studied high-temperature superconductor due to its high critical temperature, Tc and strong flux pinning properties. In this study, Y123 samples were synthesized via a thermal treatment method under two sintering conditions which were open air and oxygen flow. Structural, microstructural, and superconducting properties were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and AC susceptibility measurements. XRD analysis revealed that all Y123 samples exhibited predominantly Y123 phase with orthorhombic structure, with minor secondary phases. The Y123 sample prepared in an open-air condition exhibited larger grain size (0.698 µm), lower porosity, and fewer impurities compared to sample prepared in the oxygen flow condition. AC susceptibility showed a higher Tc-onset exhibited at 92.1 K in the open-air sample, indicating better grain connectivity. These results suggest that open-air sintering offers a simpler, cost-effective route for enhancing Y123 superconductor performance.