Preparation and characterization of (Bi, Pb)-2223 thin films on MgO (001) substrate via sedimentation deposition and liquid phase sintering technique

Abstract

This paper presents a process of formation based on film morphology and structural characteristics for (Bi,Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y or (Bi,Pb)-2223 polycrystalline thin films grown on single-crystal (001) MgO substrates via sedimentation deposition. Morphology observations show increasing planar order with temperature, while the terrace-like planar structure indicative of BSCCO remains present. X-Ray Diffraction scans identify a dominant 2223 phase even though the 2212 phase still occurs at a competing order. The 2212 phase dominates further with successive heat treatments on the film, as a result of decreased 2223 phase stability from the evaporation of Pb. Prominence of the 2212 phase is also supported with resulting critical temperature of 80K.