Synthesis of Superconducting 2223 Compound in the Lead-Added Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O System

We report the synthesis of 2223 compound in the lead-added Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system by reacting (Sr, Ca)CuO2 and (Bi, Pb, Ca)2O3-z. Samples of nearly single 2223 phase with Tc(zero resistivity)>100 K were obtained after calcination for 36 h using this method, as compared to ≈50% 2223 phase for batches of mixed oxides and carbonates obtained by a similar calcination schedule.