Temperature Response of BaZrO3-Inclusion to YBa2Cu3O7-δ Probed by Magneto-Transport Measurements

This paper reflects a simple and practically scalable technique, in which attempts have been made for preparation of fine BaZrO3 (BZO) as defects in YBa2Cu3O7-delta (YBCO) superconductor, to enhance superconducting properties. The texture growth of YBCO + xBZO (x = 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 wt.%) composites has been made through solid-state reaction route by employing calcined YBCO and submicron sized powders of BZO. The phase formation, texture and grain alignment were analyzed using XRD and SEM. The magnetoresistivity data obtained as a function of temperature (T) in the tail region shows two key features: first an anomalous secondary peak at Tc-on2 well below 92 K as a function of BZO content with varying magnetic fields, and secondly a drop in global resistivity transition temperature (T-c0) following the incorporation of excess BZO to the grain boundaries. Impurities appear to reduce T-con2 greatly to the lower-temperature values as a function of BZO content and to influence the onset of T-con1 in presence of varying magnetic fields. The findings of this investigation suggest the presence of multiple transition temperatures in the composites.