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

In this study, series of superconductor-tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles composites, YBa2Cu3O7-delta(WO3)(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 WO3 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 WO3 nano particles in the Y-123 superconductor.