Microstructure and superconductivity of the melt-textured YBCO grown with the addition of SnO2

Large domain YBa2Cu3O7-delta/Y2BaCuO5 (YBCO) samples were prepared by top-s eeded melt-textured process, with the addition of SnO2 and CeO2 or PtO2. It was found that, in comparison to that in the CeO2-doped sample, the YBa2Cu 3O7-delta (123) matrix was twisted in the PtO2-doped sample and its Y2BaCuO 5 (211) particles were larger on average and less homogeneously distributed . The PtO2-doped sample showed a more obvious second-peak effect, and highe r values of a-b plane critical current density (J(c)(ab)) and irreversibili ty fields (B-irr). The enhancement of J(c)(ab) is related to the microstruc ture inhomogeneity and the core surface Delta kappa pinning.