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Superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ Nanocomposites Using Preformed ZrO 2 Nanocrystals: Growth Mechanisms and Vortex Pinning Properties
Author(s) -
De Keukeleere Katrien,
Cayado Pablo,
Meledin Alexander,
Vallès Ferran,
De Roo Jonathan,
Rijckaert Hannes,
Pollefeyt Glenn,
Bruneel Els,
Palau Anna,
Coll Mariona,
Ricart Susagna,
Van Tendeloo Gustaaf,
Puig Teresa,
Obradors Xavier,
Van Driessche Isabel
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced electronic materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.25
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 2199-160X
DOI - 10.1002/aelm.201600161
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , materials science , superconductivity , nanocrystal , epitaxy , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , electrical conductor , diffusion , flux pinning , layer (electronics) , condensed matter physics , composite material , high temperature superconductivity , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Although high temperature superconductors are promising for power applications, the production of low‐cost coated conductors with high current densities—at high magnetic fields—remains challenging. A superior superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ nanocomposite is fabricated via chemical solution deposition (CSD) using preformed nanocrystals (NCs). Preformed, colloidally stable ZrO 2 NCs are added to the trifluoroacetic acid based precursor solution and the NCs' stability is confirmed up to 50 mol% for at least 2.5 months. These NCs tend to disrupt the epitaxial growth of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ , unless a thin seed layer is applied. A 10 mol% ZrO 2 NC addition proved to be optimal, yielding a critical current density J C of 5 MA cm −2 at 77 K in self‐field. Importantly, this new approach results in a smaller magnetic field decay of J C (H//c) for the nanocomposite compared to a pristine film. Furthermore, microstructural analysis of the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ nanocomposite films reveals that different strain generation mechanisms may occur compared to the spontaneous segregation approach. Yet, the generated nanostrain in the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–δ nanocomposite results in an improvement of the superconducting properties similar to the spontaneous segregation approach. This new approach, using preformed NCs in CSD coatings, can be of great potential for high magnetic field applications.