Smart Metastructure Method for Increasing T_C of Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO High-Temperature Superconductors

Improving the critical transition temperature (T_C) of Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO (B(P)SCCO) high-temperature superconductors is important; however, considerable challenges exist. In this study, on the basis of the metamaterial structure and the idea that injecting energy will promote the formation of electron pairs, a smart meta-superconductor B(P)SCCO consisting of B(P)SCCO microparticles and Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+Ag or Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ luminophore was designed. In the applied electric field, the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+Ag or Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ luminophore generates an electroluminescence (EL), thereby, promoting the T_C via EL energy injection. A series of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+Ag or Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ luminous inhomogeneous phase-doped B(P)SCCO samples was prepared. Meanwhile, the B(P)SCCO sample doped with 0.2 wt% Y₂O₃ or Y₂O₃:Sm³⁺ nonluminous inhomogeneous phase was also prepared. Results indicated that the T_C of 0.2 wt% Y₂O₃ or Y₂O₃:Sm³⁺ doping sample is lower than that of pure samples. However, the T_C of the sample doped with 0.2 wt% Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺+Ag or Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ luminophore is higher than that of pure sample. This outcome further demonstrated that the smart metastructure method can improve the T_C of B(P)SCCO.