Effect of Pr-Substitution in Eu1-xPrxBaSrCu3O7-δ on the Superconductivity and Transport Properties

Abstract

The effect of Pr-substitution at the Eu-site on the superconductivity and transport properties in Eu1-xPrxBaSrCu3O7-d (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5) has been investigated. Tc onset for x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 are 86 K, 75 K, 65 K, 38 K, 27 K, respectively. The critical temperature (Tc) decreased linearly with increase in Pr concentration x indicating a magnetic pair-breaking mechanism. The transport critical current density (Jc) decreased with increasing x. Analysis of the structure of the samples via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) technique showed transformation from orthorhombic to pseudo-tetragonal structure at x = 0.2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed no variation in the microstructure.