LAUSR

The refinement of Y2BaCuO5 (Y211) particles is a matter of significant importance in fabricating high performance YBa2Cu3O7-δ (Y123) superconductor bulks by top-seeded melt-growth (TSMG). However, coarsening and epitaxial growth naturally occur to the pre-existing Y211 grains in the conventional process, causing an unwanted size enlargement. Here, for the first time, we report a novel TSMG approach in which instead of Y211, modified precursor powders (MPP, Y2O3 and Ba2Cu3Ox) were employed. As a result, massive numbers of Y211 nanoparticles were derived from the homogeneous nucleation catastrophe through peritectic solidification of Y2O3+Bax-Cuy-OeY211. Correspondingly, superior property of trapped field was achieved from the MPP-processed bulk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.