Improvement of critical current density in YBa2Cu3O7-δ films with nano-inclusions

Awang Kechik, Mohd Mustafa (2011). Improvement of critical current density in YBa2Cu3O7-δ films with nano-inclusions. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

A high critical current density Jc is crucial for the application of HTS YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) in the fabrication of energy efficient power devices and wires. We have prepared and studied YBCO films with nanoinclusions for increasing the current-carrying capability. All films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on single crystal SrTiO3 (STO) substrates at optimised condition parameters. We found that the substrate temperature Ts of 780° C, laser energy E ~ 218 mJ/pulses, distance between target and substrate Dt of about 55 mm, annealing oxygen pressure Oap 450 Torr and cooling rate Ct 8°/min were the optimum conditions for making good films with Tc = 91 K. We have used a method for introducing artificial pinning centers which has been shown to be successful in the nanotechnology of pinning centres: distributing a secondary phase, YBCO with 1% Gd2Ba4CuWOy (2411W) nano-inclusions, YBCO with 2% wt BaZrO3 (BZO) and YBCO with 4% wt BZO nano-crystalline particles in the film. The superconducting properties were determined by AC susceptibility, magnetisation loops and transport measurements using a Quantum Design Magnetic property measurement system (MPMS) and a Physical properties measurement system (PPMS). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and (TEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray were also used to characterise the micro-structure of the films. Both 2411W and BZO nano-inclusions led to increased Jc in applied fields and self-field. Scaling of the flux pinning force based on the Dew-Hughes model has been used in this work for investigating the flux pinning mechanism.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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