Effect of Chlorine Addition on Texture and Superconducting Performance of YBa2Cu3O7-δ-Coated Conductors

YBa2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) thin films with the addition of Cl were prepared on Hastelloy tape by the extremely low fluorine metal-organic deposition (MOD) technique. The composition and microstructure of the present samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was revealed that the Cl-added YBCO thin films achieved better texture and density compared with the pure YBCO films. The superconducting properties at magnetic fields were measured using the magnetic property measurement system (MPMS). The results showed that the sample onset transition temperature (T-c,T- on) did not change significantly after the addition of Cl. The critical current density (J(c)) in the presence of YBCO with the addition of Cl increased significantly. Meanwhile, both the J(c) and gravitational force (F-p) of the (Cl, Hf) co-added YBCO films were further enhanced at different magnetic fields. The thermodynamic analysis of the BaCO3 removal reaction revealed that the addition of Cl to YBCO formed chlorine compounds, which were effective in avoiding the formation of BaCO3. Further, the calculation results of the Gibbs free energy at different pressure quotients showed that the stability of the relevant chlorine compounds occurred in the order of BaCl2 > CuCl2 > YCl3 and the oxidation of BaCl2 to BaO required a higher temperature compared to BaF2, implying the potential advantages of inhibiting the a-axis growth.