Biopolymer-protected GdBa۲Cu۳O۷x nanoparticles: Morphology, structure and superconducting properties

چکیده مقاله

A synthetic procedure for the encapsulation of GdBa2Cu3O7x superconducting nanoparticles in ethyl cellulose matrix is introduced. High resolution TEM analyses revealed that by controlling the concentration of the biopolymer and heating rate, a well-aligned nanoparticle superlattice with a diameter of about 35 nm can be readily formed. Surprisingly, the onset of superconductivity in the nanoparticles occurred at a transition temperature of 91.5 K, indicating no significant suppression of superconducting performance with the nanorod morphology. XRD data refined by Rietveld method confirmed that the crystalline structures of the nanoparticles remain in orthorhombic structure with Pmmm space group. It was found that the presence of the appropriate amount of the polymer plays a basic role as an excellent template for the nucleation and growth of the nanoparticles along the preferred direction.