Influence of preparation conditions on 211 particle refinement in YBCO bulk superconductors with Ce addition

The influence of CeO2 and BaCeO3 addition and the influence of processing conditions on Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) particle size and particle distribution in melt-processed YBa2Cu3O7/Y2BaCuO5 (Y123/Y211) bulk superconductors with nominal composition Y1.5Ba2Cu3Ox was investigated. Ce dissolved in the peritectic melt can actively hinder the Y211 particle growth by the Ostwald ripening process at melting stage. At sintering of intensively milled samples, Y211 particles in the charge free of CeO2 are smaller than Y211 particles formed in the charge with CeO2 addition and this behaviour can be related to the melt formation around added CeO2. The Y211 particle refinement in the mildly milled samples with large Y123 particles in the pressed green bodies is caused by very dense Y211 skeleton resistant to melt formation at the sintering stage. This skeleton is a barrier for pollution of the sample from the substrate and from the seed. BaCeO3 added instead CeO2 causes significant Y211 particle refinement also in the samples with homogenously distributed Y211 particles.