SYNTHESIS OF BI-BASE HIGH-TC OXIDE SUPERCONDUCTORS THROUGH AN ORGANIC-ACID SALT THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION PROCESS

High-TcBi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu oxide superconductors have been successfully synthesized through a decomposition of organic acid salts. At the intermediate stage of this process, a gel state is obtained from a homogeneous solution. The gel shows a thermoplasticity which may facilitate its fabrication into a fiber form. The offset Tcof the specimen made from this process is 102 K, which is appreciably improved by an intermediate pressing between sinterings. The highest Tcand Jc(77 K, 0 T) so far obtained are 109 K and 810 A/cm2, respectively. © 1990 IOP Publishing Ltd.