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Interactive Growth Effects of Rare‐Earth Nanoparticles on Nanorod Formation in YBa 2 Cu 3 O x Thin Films
Author(s) -
Baca F. Javier,
Haugan Timothy J.,
Barnes Paul N.,
Holesinger Terry G.,
Maiorov Boris,
Lu Rongtao,
Wang Xiang,
Reichart Joshua N.,
Wu Judy Z.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201203660
Subject(s) - nanorod , materials science , thin film , nanoparticle , transmission electron microscopy , nanotechnology , dopant , microstructure , doping , oxide , nanostructure , phase (matter) , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , composite material , metallurgy , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
The controlled growth of self‐assembled second‐phase nanostructures has been shown to be an essential tool for enhancing properties of several composite oxide thin film systems. Here, the role of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles on the growth of BaZrO 3 (BZO) nanorods is investigated in order to understand the mechanisms governing their self‐assembly in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7– x (YBCO) thin films and to more fully control the resulting defect landscape. By examining the microstructure and current‐carrying capacity of BZO‐doped YBCO films, it is shown that the nanorod growth dynamics are significantly enhanced when compared to films double‐doped with BZO and Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles. The average nanorod length and associated critical current densities are found to increase at a significantly higher rate in the absence of Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles when the growth temperature is increased. Using microstructural data from transmission electron microscopy studies and the response in critical current density, the interactive effects of multiple dopants that must be considered to fully control the defect landscape in oxide thin films are shown.