The effect of the Y2O3 buffer layer on the microstructural and physical properties of melt-processed Y358 superconductor

The Y3Ba5Cu8O18 (Y358) superconductors were produced using the Melt-Powder-Melt-Growth (MPMG) method. In the crystal growth process, Y2O3 powder was used as a substrate in both powder and tablet form. The first sample was produced without using any buffer layer, the second sample was produced with a powdered Y2O3 buffer layer, and the third sample was produced with a tablet-form Y2O3 buffer layer. The effect of the Y2O3 substrate on the structural and physical properties of the Y358 superconductor samples was investigated. Superconducting phases were observed in all samples of Y358 through XRD measurements, confirming their presence. Samples fabricated using the powder and tablet forms of the Y2O3 substrate had a better microstructure than the sample fabricated without a Y2O3 substrate. The highest critical current density (J c) value was obtained at 77 K for the Y358 sample produced with a Y2O3 powder substrate, and the J c value was calculated as 1.2 × 104 A cm–2 according to the Bean model.