Abstract
A systematic study on phase evolution, bulk density, resistivity, critical transition temperature (T C), critical current density (J C) and in-field transport critical current density (J C–B) of pure and nano particles of BaHfO3 added YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) samples of different weight percentages has been carried out. The result shows a significant improvement in the electrical transport properties of the superconductor, namely the J C, J C–B characteristics and flux pinning force (F p) of the BaHfO3 added samples. The transition temperature also was found to increase marginally. A maximum transport J C of 742 A/cm2 at 77 K (for x=2 wt%) was observed for BaHfO3 added samples against 147 A/cm2 for pure YBCO sample. The enhancement of the critical current density in the YBCO–BaHfO3 sample is attributed to the formation of an insulating and non-reacting YBa2HfO5.5 phase, acting as artificial pinning centers in the matrix. The introduction of nano particles of BaHfO3 in bulk YBCO increases the pinning force density from 30×103 N/m3 to 424×103 N/m3 at 77 K. The improvement in sintering density due to an optimum value 2 wt% BaHfO3 addition in bulk YBCO indicates its potential use in electrical devices and technology. The enhancement in the superconducting properties, particularly in the J C–B characteristics due to BaHfO3 addition, seems to have great technological significance.
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The authors acknowledge Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment, Thiruvananthapuram for the financial support.
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Rejith, P.P., Vidya, S., Thomas, J.K. et al. Enhancement of Vortex Pinning in YBa2Cu3O7−δ -BaHfO3 Superconductor-Insulator System. J Supercond Nov Magn 25, 1817–1822 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-012-1558-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10948-012-1558-5