Impact of precursor source on the structural and superconducting properties of (Hg,Cr)Sr2CuO4+delta

Abstract

We have investigated the structural/phase and superconducting properties of (Hg,Cr)/Sr-1201 [(Hg,Cr)Sr2CuO4+delta] samples prepared by two different precursor routes. It was observed that the quality of the (Hg,Cr)/Sr-1201 samples depends strongly on the precursor quality and the nature of starting materials. The (Hg,Cr)/Sr-1201 samples were synthesized in partial vacuum at 1153 K for 12 h, and characterized by power XRD, FT-IR, X-ac-T and dc-magnetization. A good quality (Hg,Cr)/Sr-1201 sample with higher superconducting transition temperature (T-c(onset)- 60 K) was obtained for the sample prepared from nitrate source as compared to that obtained from the sample prepared from the carbonate source (T-c(onset) similar to 56 K).