Higher intra-granular and inter-granular performances of YBCO superconductor with TiO2 nano-sized particles addition

The impact of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles addition on the intra-granular and inter-granular properties of YBa2Cu3O7.y (Y-123) were thoroughly investigated. Specimens were produced through the solid-state reaction (SSR) route by adding small contents of TiO2 nano-entities. The phase identification was studied using the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure and the chemical composition were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) system. The electrical resistivity measurements were done using the conventional four probe technique. The intra-granular, inter granular and transport critical current densities of the synthesized specimens were explored through measurements of magnetization, ac-susceptibility and current-voltage, respectively. The possible pinning mechanisms predominant in synthesized compounds are estimated. The obtained results show that small amount of TiO2 nanoparticles improves the flux pinning capacity in Y-123 material.