Formation of nanoparticles and defects in YBa2Cu3O7−δ prepared by the metal organic deposition process

Nanoparticles and defects have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy in fully reacted YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO), prepared by the metal–organic deposition (MOD) process. Two types of particles, Y2O3 and CuY2O5, ranging from 10 to 100 nm, have been observed in the YBCO matrix. The YBCO contains a large number of planar defects and a considerable number of (1 1 0) rotational twins. Details of the nanoparticles and defects in the MOD-processed YBCO films are presented in this paper.