Tailoring in-plane crystallographic orientation of epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7 − x thin films having perpendicular c-axis texture

► YBa2Cu3O7 − x (YBCO) films prepared on MgO by pulse laser deposition (PLD). ► Refinement of 0° in-plane orientation YBCO film. ► 45° in-plane orientation YBCO film using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) buffer layer. ► Critical current of YBCO films enhanced by reducing high-angle grain boundaries. ► YSZ layer functions as a structural link between the MgO and YBCO lattice.