Fast Solution Precursor Synthesis of the 2223 Phase: the Role of Lead in the Reaction Pathway

ABSTRACTValuable mechanistic information, about the reaction pathway in the formation of the 2223 phase, has been obtained by the use of a solution synthesis route. The presence of lead in the starting mixture has remarkable effects on the nature and stability of the different intermediates: i) the grain size and morphology of Bi2CuO4 is severely changed, ii) calcium carbonate is partially decomposed to yield the calcium plumbate, iii) the 2201 phase results stabilized against the formation of the collapsed phase Bi17Sr16Cu7O49-δ, iv) the melting point of the intermediate 2212 is lowered by about 10 °C. All these effects, due to lead substitution, contribute to promote the formation of the …