The effect of Nd(422) addition on the microstructure and superconducting properties of NdBCO thick films on YSZ substrates

NdBaCuO screen-printed thick films have been successfully fabricated on yttria stabilized zirconia substrates from precursor powders containing 10 wt% Ba-rich Nd-422 addition. High transition temperatures, T, and sharp superconducting transitions have been found. The processing temperature was reduced either by the addition of 2.5 wt% BaF2 (doped powder) or by low oxygen partial pressures, p(O-2), (0.045, 0.07 and 0.1% O-2 in Ar). Films prepared from doped powders produced dense thick films with T-c = 95 K; however, the microstructure and the superconducting properties of the thick films fabricated from undoped powder processed using low p(O-2) were significantly improved. Textured crystallites have been found on the surface of the films similar to those normally found on the surface of top-seeded melt-textured NdBCO bulk materials.