Impact of Dy2O3 nanoparticles additions on the properties of porous YBCO ceramics

In this work, we report the effects of dysprosium oxide (Dy 2 O 3 ) magnetic nanoparticles inclusion on superconducting characteristics and flux pinning of YB 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (for brevity YBCO) compound. Using the solid-state reaction route, series of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ /(Dy 2 O 3 ) x were produced by adding up to 0.5 wt% Dy 2 O 3 . The crystal structure, morphology, electrical and magnetic properties were examined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electrical resistivity and physical properties measurement system (PPMS), respectively. The orthorhombicity was preserved with Dy 2 O 3 addition. The electrical resistivity dependence with the temperature (()) revealed the manifestation of superconducting transition in all prepared samples. By increasing x up to 0.2 wt%, an increase of critical current density J c was achieved. The flux pinning ability and the dominant pinning mechanisms in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ /(Dy 2 O 3 ) x composites were checked and discussed.