Microstructures in high‐Tc Bi(Pb)‐family 2212 superconductors as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy

Microstructures of Bi(Pb)‐family 2212 superconductors, which were prepared by a sol‐gel method with three different compositions, were examined mainly by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetization of the specimens strongly depends on the ratio between Bi and Pb content, while Tc is almost constant. In specimen 1, prepared with the nominal composition of Bi/Pb = 9/1, small grains of 2212 phase are formed with a minor fraction of some impurity phases. In specimen 2, with Bi/Pb = 17/3, which is optimum from the viewpoint of magnetization, large grains of the 2212 phase are formed during heating at 800°C, also with the impurity phases. In specimen 3, with Bi/Pb = 8/2, the 2212 grains are divided by layers of (Bi_0.86, Pb_0.14) (Ca_0.7, Sr_0.3)O_x. Moreover, plate‐like 2212 crystals are severely bent so that small cracks appear often with an inclusion of amorphous substance being rich in Ca and Pb. These layers and cracks must degrade the magnetization. A modulated structure of Bi‐type is formed in the 2212 grains of specimens 1 and 2, while not only Bi‐type but also Pb‐type are formed in specimen 3. The wavelength of Bi‐type is different for each specimen. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.