Strong flux pinning enhancement in YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x films by embedded BaZrO₃ and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles

YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (YBCO) films with embedded BaZrO₃ and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles were fabricated by metalorganic deposition using trifluoroacetates (TFA-MOD). Both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that these BaZrO₃ and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles had random orientations and were distributed stochastically in the YBCO matrix. The unique combined microstructure enhances the critical current density (J_c) of the BaZrO₃/BaTiO₃ doped-YBCO films, while keeping the critical transition temperature (T_c) close to that in the pure YBCO films. These results indicate that BaZrO₃ and BaTiO₃ nanoparticles provide strong flux pinning in YBCO films.