Significant Improvement in Superconductivity by Substituting Pb at Bi-site in Bi2−xPbxSr2CaCu2O8 with x=0.0 to 0.40

Here we report the synthesis and superconducting properties of bulk Bi2−xPbxSr2CaCu2O8 (x=0.0 to 0.4) compound. Though the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) decreases marginally, the critical current density under magnetic field Jc(H) increases with Pb content. An optimization is observed for x=0.16 with Jc(H) (7.894×103 A/cm2) that is nearly doubled in comparison to the pristine compound. It seems that controlled substitution of Pb at Bi-site in bulk Bi-2212 (Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8) system can enhance the superconducting critical parameters. These results are explained on the basis of possible improved inter- and intra-granular properties with Pb substitution in Bi2−xPbxSr2CaCu2O8 system.