The effect of BaCeO3 nano particles on the current density of a melt-processed YBCO superconductor

The effect of BaCeO3 addition on the microstructure and the critical current density of a melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7−y sample has been investigated. The BaCeO3 powder was prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method and the size was reduced by attrition milling. The BaCeO3 powders with various contents (3, 5, 10, 15, 20 wt.%) were mixed with YBCO (Y123 composition) powder and then melt-textured. It was found that the BaCeO3 particles with a cubic shape were trapped in the Y123 grains. The distribution of BaCeO3 particles inside 123 grains was not uniform due to the formation and of the particle free regions and the segregation in local parts. The particle segregation tends to be more serious when the particle is finer. The critical current density (Jc) at 77 K of the sample with much BaCeO3 addition was higher than that of the sample with a small addition.