Effect of (La0.67Ca0.33MnO3)x (x = 0.0 – 0.6) Addition in YBa2Cu3O7-δ System on the Structure and Transport Properties

Abstract

The effect of LCMO addition in YBCO system to investigate changes in structure and transport properties is reported. Samples with addition of (La0.67Ca0.33MnO3)x (LCMO) (x=0.0-0.6) in YBa2Cu3O7-δ(YBCO) superconducting system were prepared via solid state reaction. The effect of magneto resistive components on the superconducting properties of YBCO was investigated through X-Ray diffraction (XRD), resistance-temperature (R-T) measurement, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). XRD analysis showed the addition of LCMO (0.2 wt% - 0.6 wt%) formed four new phases. The crystal system still orthorhombic with space group Pmmm after addition 0.2 wt% and 0.4 wt% of LCMO but the crystal system was changed to tetragonal and space group P4/mmm when addition with 0.6 wt% of LCMO. The temperature dependent of electrical resistance showed the samples were metallic above the transition temperature even though after addition. TheTc(onset)superconducting transition temperature decreased from 84 K to 66 K while theTc (offset)decreased from 72°C to 54°C. This suppression was due to the magnetic behaviour of the LCMO. The average grain size decreased when addition with LCMO were increased.