The Influence of BaCeO3 Addition on Y-211 Particle Size of YBCO Bulk Superconductors

The influence of BaCeO3 addition (1.79 wt%) on a Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) particle size and particle distribution in melt-processed YBa2Cu3O7/Y2BaCuO5 (Y-123/Y-211) bulk superconductors was investigated. The BaCeO3 powder was prepared by conventional solid state synthesis from BaO2 and CeO2. For the particle refinement, prepared BaCeO3 powder was milled in a planetary mill in ethanol and obtained particle size was characterized by grading analysis and SEM. The mixtures of Y-123, Y2O3 and BaCeO3 powders where prepared by 5 different procedures, pressed into the pellets and finally, bulk samples were grown by melt-growth process. The microstructural characterisation of the samples by polarised light microscopy and image processing showed the significant refinement of Y-211 particles by BaCeO3 addition, which also depended on the used ceramic process.