Improvement of flux pinning ability by tungsten oxide nanoparticles added in YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor

Abstract In this study, series of superconductor-tungsten oxide (WO 3 ) nanoparticles composites, YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ /(WO 3 ) x , were produced via the solid-state reaction process. The structural, morphological, chemical compositions, electrical and magnetic properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with EDX system and physical properties measurement system (PPMS), respectively. The XRD, SEM and EDX analyses showed the successful formation of the Y-123 orthorhombic phase. The electrical resistivity measurements proved the occurrence of superconductivity in different samples. The magnetic results showed an improvement of critical current density (J c ) and pinning ability in WO 3 nanoparticles added Y-123 products. The dominant pinning mechanisms and the strength of pinning centers in various sintered products were examined and discussed. The measurements of zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization versus temperature (M-T) indicated an increase in the magnitude of diamagnetic signal with the addition of WO 3 nanoparticles in the Y-123 superconductor.