Substrate decoration for improvement of current-carrying capabilities of YBa2Cu3Ox thin films

► Effects of substrate decoration on properties of YBCO thin films were studied. ► Y2O3 nanoparticles, ultra-thin Y2O3 and Y:ZrO2 layers were used as decoration layer. ► Decoration improves jC (5 T and 50 K) up to 0.97 MA/cm2 vs. 0.76 MA/cm2 for a reference film. ► Ultra-thin layer of yttria and yttria nanoparticles have a similar effect on YBCO. ► Y2O3 decoration results in power law coefficient α = 0.3 vs. α = 0.4 for a reference film.