Effect of SnO2 Addition on YBCO Superconducting Properties through Thermal Treatment Method

Authors

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

Published:

2025-04-27

Issue:

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): April

Keywords:

Microstructural, SnO2, Superconducting, Thermal treatment, YBCO

Articles

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How to Cite

Kamarudin, A. N., Yeow, T. K., Kechik, M. M. A., Kien, C. S., Pah, L. K., Shabdin, M. K., … Shaari, A. H. (2025). Effect of SnO2 Addition on YBCO Superconducting Properties through Thermal Treatment Method. Journal of Material Science and Radiation, 1(1), 15–20. Retrieved from https://journals.balaipublikasi.id/index.php/jmsr/article/view/361

Abstract

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

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Author Biographies

Aliah Nursyahirah Kamarudin, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Tan Kar Yeow, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Chen Soo Kien, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Lim Kean Pah, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Muhammad Kashfi Shabdin, University of Mataram

Nurhidayah Mohd Hapipi, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Aris Doyan, University of Mataram

Yap Siew Hong, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Abdul Halim Shaari, Universiti Putra Malaysia

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