Effect of addition of BaTiO3 nano particles on the electrical transport properties of YBCO superconductor

Abstract

The flux pinning properties of YBCO bulk superconductors synthesized by conventional solid state route and are added with different weight% (x=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5) of nano BaTiO3 which are prepared by a modified combustion route are studied systematically. The phase analysis of the samples was done by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Temperature-resistivity measurements, magnetic field dependence of critical current density (Jc-B Characteristics) and flux pinning force calculations were done at 77 K. From the SEM images the microstructure of the sample showed a relative uniform distribution of the nano-particles within the specimen. We found that, even though the transition temperature (Tc) does not change considerably with the BaTiO3 addition, both the critical current density (Jc) and flux pinning force (Fp) increased systematically up to 2 wt% BaTiO3 in the composite, in the presence of magnetic field ranging between 0 and 0.6 T. The Jc value in 2 wt% BaTiO3 added sample showed at least 250% larger than that of the pure YBCO. Also the flux pinning force calculated for the 2 wt% BaTiO3 added is found to be enhanced more than 9 times that of pure YBCO. These observations suggest that the BaTiO3 addition to the Y-123- compounds improve the electrical connection between superconducting grains to result in the increase in Jc.