Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

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Ceramics International
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ceramint

Influence of WO3 nanowires on structural, morphological and flux pinning

ability of YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor
⁎
Y. Slimania, , M.A. Almessiereb,d, E. Hannachic, A. Baykald, A. Manikandane, M. Mumtazf,
F. Ben Azzouzb
a
Department of Physics Research, Institute for Research & Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441,
Saudi Arabia
b
Department of Physics, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
c
Laboratory of Physics of Materials - Structures and Properties, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
d
Department of Nano-Medicine Research, Institute for Research & Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam
31441 Saudi Arabia
e
Department of Chemistry, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Bharath University, Chennai 600073, Tamil Nadu, India
f
Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, FBAS, International Islamic University (IIU), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The addition of nanosized entities into the superconducting matrix is a practical way for increasing the per-
YBa2Cu3Oy superconductor formance of host YBa2Cu3O7-d (noted Y-123) compound. In this study, series of Y-123 samples with WO3 na-
WO3 nanowires nowires (noted NW-WO3) as additives were produced via the solid-state reaction method. The structural,
Structure morphological, chemical compositions, electrical and magnetic properties were thoroughly investigated using X-
Critical current density
ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with EDX system and physical properties
Flux pinning
measurement system (PPMS), respectively. The critical current density (Jc) and flux pinning force density (Fp)
were extracted from the measurements of magnetization. The XRD, SEM and EDX analyses showed the successful
formation of the Y-123 orthorhombic phase. The electrical resistivity measurements proved the occurrence of
superconductivity in these samples. The magnetic results showed higher critical current densities and flux
pinning ability in NW-WO3 added Y-123 products. The dominant pinning mechanisms and the strength of
pinning centers in various sintered products were examined and discussed.

1. Introduction
The cuprate high temperature superconductors (HTS) YBa2Cu3O7−d
(Y-123) is one of the intensive research subjects around the world. The
Y-123 is the first HTS disclosed with critical superconducting transition
temperature, Tco, exceeding the boiling temperature of liquid nitrogen
(LN2) [1]. Since the Y-123 could be cooled at a much lower cost by
using LN2 instead of liquid helium, this discovery has made significant
advances in technological applications to transport high currents. The
Y-123 compound has also been identified as second generation HTS for
several practical applications, particularly in the field of transport,
medicine, electronics and energy storage [2–5]. Different methods have
been employed to synthesize the copper-oxide family superconductors
[6–11]. Nevertheless, the weak flux pinning and the granular structure
of bulks Y-123 result in a low critical current density, Jc. This limits
their use in HTS-based technological applications [12,13]. During the
last years, much efforts have been made to improve the super-
conducting parameters of HTS materials, particularly Tco and Jc in the
existence of external applied magnetic field. One feasible route to
achieve this aim is the increase of pinning strength [14–16]. This can be
realized by the introduction of proficient pinning centers within the Y-
123 matrix. These pinning centers will inhibit the motion of vortices
when the superconducting material carries electrical currents in the
occurrence of applied magnetic field. The trapping capacity of Y-123 is
noticeably weak as evidenced by the quick reduction in its Jc with
applied fields. This effect is most probably due to the lack of efficient
pinning centers [17,18]. The defects and the nanosized additives are
amongst the proficient pinning centers [17–20]. The defects can be
generated by the inclusion of nanoparticles (NPs) within the Y-123
matrix, which lead to the creation of effective artificial pinning centers
[17–20]. Various nanomaterials have been extensively studied for many
applications due to their promising properties, such as higher stability,

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: yaslimani@iau.edu.sa, slimaniyassine18@gmail.com (Y. Slimani).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.10.201
Received 8 October 2018; Received in revised form 22 October 2018; Accepted 24 October 2018
0272-8842/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Please cite this article as: Slimani, Y., Ceramics International, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.10.201
Y. Slimani et al. Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

lower cost and safety toward humans and the environment [21–25].
Particularly, tungsten oxide, WO3, as a metal oxide is frequently ex-
plored for diverse applications such as electro-chromic devices, photo-
catalytic, optical recording devices [26,27]. To the best of our knowl-
edge, the use of WO3 as an additive in the Y-123 compound has not
been widely investigated in the literature. Hühne et al. [28] showed
that the Ni–W tapes are appropriate templates to prepare architectures
of coated conductors of YBCO layers deposited on Y2O3/YSZ/CeO2
buffers. Matsumoto et al. [29] studied the influence of WO3 powder
inclusion on the crystal structure of Y-123 based on X-ray diffraction
results. It was shown that the orthorhombicity of YBCO system is
changed by mixing of WO3 powder. Nipan et al. [30] produced
YBa1W1Cu3Ox compounds using chemical route. It is observed that the
substitution of W in Ba site conduced to the fabrication of a non-su-
perconducting orthorhombic phase. None of these investigations
showed a beneficiary role in improving the performances of Y-123
compound. In this regard, we purpose to investigate the impact of na-
nosized WO3 entities in the form of wires (NW-WO3) addition on the Fig. 2. XRD patterns of tungsten oxide nanowires (NW-WO3) adding to Y-123
structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of Y-123 products, Y-123 + x wt% NW-WO3.
material. The intra-granular performances of produced products were
investigated and evaluated by means of determining variations of Jc
Titan G2 80–300) coupled with EDX system was utilized to examine the
versus H. The mechanisms and the strength of vortex pinning in syn-
morphology, grains size and quantitative compositions. The magnetic
thesized products were also explored.
properties were carried out using Quantum Design physical property
measurement system (PPMS DynaCool 9). For electrical resistivity
2. Experimental details
measurements, the sintered pellets were carefully cut into bar shaped
samples with almost similar dimensions. The measurements were per-
2.1. Synthesis procedures
formed in the temperature range of 2–305 K by the standard four-probe
technique using PPMS instrument. Ohmic contact electrodes were
The products of YBa2Cu3O7−d + x wt% NW-WO3 (where x = 0.0%,
formed by Au sputtering and electrical connections were made using a
0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% of the total mass of sample) were produced via
silver paste. The current was allowed to pass through two outer point
solid-state reaction route with two stages of sintering. The first step
contacts whereas voltage was measured between inner point contacts.
consists of the synthesis of Y-123 precursor. The Y2O3, BaCO3 and CuO
high purity powders were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and were
utilized as the raw materials. The different powders were mixed in line
3. Results and discussion
with the stoichiometric ratio Y1Ba2Cu3Oy and ground using an agate
mortar. The ground mixture was compacted in form of pellets and then
3.1. Structural examination
sintered at 950 °C for 12 h in order to release all elements of carbon. In
next step, different concentrations of tungsten oxide (WO3) nanowires
Fig. 2 shows the XRD patterns of tungsten oxide nanowires (NW-
were added to the calcinated precursor. Fig. 1 shows transmission
WO3) doped Y-123 products. The different characteristic peaks corre-
electron microscopy (TEM; FEI Morgagni 268) image of the WO3 which
sponding to different phases are marked on the various XRD patterns.
were used as additives. The TEM shows that the WO3 are in the form of
The structural parameters for the synthesized products were deduced
nanowires with an average diameter about of 50 nm with micrometric
using Match 3! program and the different parameters are listed in
lengths. The resulting mixtures were ground in the agate mortar,
Table 1. The various products exhibit a predominantly single-phase
compacted and then sintered at 950 °C for 8 h.
YBa2Cu3Oy with orthorhombic structure and space group Pmmm (ICCD
card number 01-078-2144). The high intensity peaks of Y-123 phase
2.2. Characterization techniques were observed at 2θ ≈ 32.54° and 32.84°, which are associated to the
(013) and (103) Miller indices, respectively. It can be seen that there is
Bruker D8 Advance X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument was em- no remarkable shifts of XRD peaks. A minor peak indexed as a sec-
ployed for the structural examination and phase identification (CuKα ondary phase was also observed at 2θ ≈ 28.9° in various pure and
radiation and 2θ = 20–80°). Scanning electron microscope (SEM; FEI added products, which correspond to the Y2BaCuO5 (Y-211) phase
(ICCD card number 01-079-0697). One should note that the con-
centration of secondary phase is insignificant (< 2%) in different pro-
ducts. The presence of secondary phase is not affected by the NW-WO3

Table 1
Lattice parameters (a, b and c), oxygen content (y), crystallites size (DXRD) and
the lattice strain (Cɛ).
x wt Lattice parameters V (Å3) Oxygen Williamson–Hall
% content
NW- a (Å) b (Å) c (Å) “y” DXRD (nm) Lattice
WO3 strain Cɛ

0.0 3.8183 3.8835 11.6696 173.0411 6.9128 30.81 0.0381

0.05 3.8181 3.8838 11.6699 173.0498 6.9111 21.25 0.0386
0.1 3.8182 3.8836 11.6697 173.0425 6.9122 34.66 0.0360
0.2 3.8183 3.8838 11.6697 173.0559 6.9122 37.47 0.0341
Fig. 1. TEM image of WO3 nanowires.

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Y. Slimani et al. Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

doping. The phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal can be

followed through the help of characteristic splitting peaks (013), (103)
and (012), (102). It is obvious in this study that no harmful effects on
the orthorhombicity of Y-123 were detected by inserting fine quantities
of NW-WO3 up to 0.2 wt%. Hence, it appears that NW-WO3 does not
enter the Y-123 structure. It is found that the lattice parameters (a, b
and c) and unit cell volume (V) for all products are practically un-
affected with NW-WO3 doping. The measured lattice parameters a, b
and c take values of about 3.8183 Å, 3.8835 Å and 11.6696 Å respec-
tively with a precision of 0.0005 Å, confirming that all the products
exhibit the orthorhombic crystal structure. The oxygen content (y) can
be deduced using the following empirical relation [31]:
y=75.25-5.856 c (1)

The values of oxygen content with respect to the various amounts of

NW-WO3 are recorded in Table 1. It is clear that the oxygen stoichio-
metry is practically unchanged for all products. Therefore, one can
claim that any phenomenon observed in this work for lower amounts of
NW-WO3 is considered to be unrelated to the secondary phase and to
the structural change of these YBCO products but fully associated to the
inclusion of NW-WO3. The crystallites size (DXRD) and the average lat-
tice strain (Cε) of the different products are estimated via the Wil-
liamson-Hall equations [17]:
Kλ
Btot = Bstrain + Bsize = 4Cεtanθ +
DXRDcosθ (2)

where Btot is the FWHM of XRD peaks, Bstrain is the strain broadening
that is supposed to be uniform in all crystallographic directions, Bsize is
the particle size broadening, λ is wavelength of CuKα radiation
(1.5406 Å), K=0.9 is a dimensionless shape factor close to unity, and θ is
Bragg angle. By multiplying the Eq. (3) by cosθ, it gives:
Kλ
Btot cosθ = 4Cεsinθ +
DXRD (3)

Therefore, by plotting the graph of Btot cosθ versus 4sinθ (Fig. 3), the
Cε of the product is deduced from the slope of linear fitting data

Fig. 4. SEM images of (a) 0.0 wt%, (b) 0.1 wt% and (c) 0.2 wt% NW-WO3 added
to Y-123 products.

Kλ
(gradient) whereas the DXRD is determined from the Y-intercept ( ).
DXRD
The estimated values of DXRD and Cε are listed in Table 1. Clearly, the
different Y-123 products synthesized with NW-WO3 addition exhibit
crystallites size higher than that of the pure Y-123. The DXRD increases
as the NW-WO3 concentration increases. This suggests that NW-WO3
promoted crystal growth in Y-123 by filling the voids among the grain
boundary networks [17]. In addition, the value of Cε is slightly di-
minished with increasing the content of NW-WO3.

3.2. Morphological investigation

Fig. 4 illustrates the SEM images of NW-WO3 added to Y-123 pro-

Fig. 3. W–H plots of βtot versus 4sinθ to calculate the crystallite size (DXRD) and
lattice strain (Cε ) for NW-WO3 added to Y-123 products.
ducts. Granular structures were observed for various products. The in-
clusion of fine NW-WO3 amounts did not change the granular structure
of synthesized products. Nevertheless, it is showed that the average
grains size increases with NW-WO3 addition. The occurrence of small
contents of NW-WO3 in the transient liquid formed at the reaction
temperature did not influence its homogeneity or its viscosity and
therefore did not inhibit the spatial growth of the YBa2Cu3Oy phase.
Comparative EDX analyses have been performed in different regions to

3
Y. Slimani et al.
Fig. 5. EDX spectra and chemical composition of the (a) 0.0 wt%, (b) 0.1 wt%
and (c) 0.2 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 products.
Fig. 6. EDX spectra and chemical composition of the NW-WO3 added Y-123
product performed in the region marked by "Spot 1" in Fig. 5b.
estimate the elemental composition of entities. EDX spectra and che-
mical compositions are presented in Fig. 5. EDX spectra done for pure
Y-123 product revealed the presence of Y, Ba, Cu and O. The quanti-
tative analyses proved that the desired composition Y1Ba2Cu3Oy is
successfully formed (Fig. 5a). The analyses done on the area of grains of
NW-WO3 added Y-123 products confirmed the occurrence of W element
in addition to the elements of Y, Ba, Cu and O (Fig. 5b and c). Whereas,
the EDX spectra and chemical composition analyses in the grains
boundaries as indicated for example by “spot” in Fig. 6 indicated that
the W content is higher in these regions compared to that detected on
the area of grains. The result confirms that NW-WO3 enter between the
grains and fill the voids among them. This provides a metal bridges
network among superconducting grains and therefore the connectivity
between the grains will be enhanced. The interaction between YBCO
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Fig. 7. Electrical resistivity versus temperature for Y-123 samples synthesized
with addition of different concentrations of NW-WO3.
grains and the NW-WO3 may conduce to a composition change in the
connection region. The observed effect can possibly enhance the per-
colation of the current and particularly the Jc. The evolution of current
density in various synthesized products will be discussed in the next
parts.
3.3. Electrical resistivity measurements
Fig. 7 presents the variations of electrical resistivity versus tem-
perature, ρ(T), for various synthesized products. The analysis of elec-
trical measurements indicates a metallic behavior in the normal state
followed by a transition to the superconducting state at a temperature
Tco. The various products displayed a single sharp transition, which
reflect the dominance of Y-123 phase and the better grains connectivity
[32]. It is known that the resistivity in the normal state is governed by
the porosity, defects, grain boundaries scattering etc [33–35]. The
greater the number of heterogeneities, defects etc, the greater their
scattering offered to the mobile carriers [36]. The 0.1 wt% NW-WO3
added to Y-123 product exhibits the lowest normal state resistivity
compared to pure sample (Fig. 8), suggesting the lowest number of
porosity, disorder, inhomogeneity and impurity scattering in the CuO2-
planes in this product. For different products, a sharp superconducting
transition was observed. It is known also that the onset transition
temperature, Tcon , is influenced by the variations of the electronic
structure in the normal state and of the oxygen content that control the
charges transfer from chains to planes. In the current investigation, the
Tcon is almost the same for different samples, close to 94.5 K. This sug-
gests that the NW-WO3 does not go in the YBCO structure, which is in
Fig. 8. Evolutions of electrical resistivity at 290 K (ρ290K) as a function of the
amount of NW-WO3.
Y. Slimani et al.
Fig. 9. Hysteresis magnetization loops measured at 77 K obtained for the pro-
ducts synthesized with various amounts of NW-WO3 ranging between 0.0 and
0.2 wt%.
accordance with XRD analyses. In addition, it is found that the tem-
perature Tco is about 92 K for pure Y-123 product and remains un-
affected by NW-WO3 addition. The inclusion of an appropriate amount
of NW-WO3 leads to enhance the connectivity between the Y-123
grains. The obtained electrical resistivity measurements are in ac-
cordance with the SEM results.
3.4. Magnetic measurements
Fig. 9 shows the hysteresis magnetization loops (M versus H) ob-
tained for the products synthesized with various amounts of NW-WO3.
The M(H) curves were measured at 77 K and under an applied magnetic
field of ± 6 T. It is noticed that the magnetization behavior of the
products and the zero-field value of magnetization are improved for
NW-WO3 added products compared to pure one. Remarkably, for pro-
ducts synthesized with an addition of NW-WO3, the hysteresis loops M
(H) have wider areas and require much more high fields to be closed
than the pure product. This suggests an enhancement of the irreversi-
bility field (Hirr; applied field at which the magnetization hysteresis
width ΔM collapses) and current densities values for NW-WO3 added to
Y-123 products compared to free added one. The value of Hirr is about
3.6 T for pure Y-123 product. However, the Hirr values for NW-WO3
added products are higher than 6 T. The higher Hirr corresponds to a
stronger flux pinning capability. The creation of proficient pinning
centers and the better grains connectivity produced by the inclusion of
NW-WO3 most probably two effects that affect the characteristic be-
havior of Hirr. For further information about the relevant performances
of NW-WO3 addition, the intragranular features of the various produced
samples were investigated. The critical current density (Jc) were esti-
mated from the experiments of M(H) using Bean model by means of the
following relationship [37]:
20 ΔM
Jc =
a (1−a/3b)
ΔM = M+ − M− is the width of magnetic hysteresis loops, a and b
are the cross-sectional dimensions of the sample (a < b). The varia-
tions of Jc against magnetic field for various amounts of NW-WO3 are
presented in Fig. 10. It is clear that the NW-WO3 addition diminishes
the sensitivity to the magnetic field. In comparison with the pristine Y-
123 product, the NW-WO3 added to Y-123 products show much slower
drops of Jc under applied fields. Throughout the applied magnetic field
range, the various NW-WO3 added Y-123 samples show higher Jc values
than non-added one. The obtained magnetic results indicate that the
flux pinning properties and the intra-granular characteristics are
Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
Fig. 10. Variations of Jc against magnetic field for various amounts of NW-WO3
at 77 K.
improved with the inclusion of NW-WO3. The 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added
product illustrated the better performances and the best Jc values under
applied magnetic fields. Fig. 11 displays the evolution of Jc with respect
to various amount of NW-WO3 at 77 K and under applied magnetic field
of 0 and 1 T. By increasing the NW-WO3 content to 0.1 wt%, the Jc
value improved by a factor of 4.3 in the absence of applied magnetic
field (Fig. 10a). Under an external applied magnetic field of 1 T, the Jc
value enhanced by a factor of around 21.9 (Fig. 10b). This confirms that
the inclusion of a fine NW-WO3 content is a meaningful route to reach
high flux pinning performances.
The Jc data are used to estimate the pinning force density
Fp = μo Jc ×H . Fig. 12 presents the plots of Fp(H) of various synthesized
samples. The Fp is very much higher in NW-WO3 added Y-123 products
compared to the pure Y-123 one. Evidently, the 0.1 wt% NW-WO3
added sample exhibits a distinctly higher Fp. It seems that the inclusion
of a fine NW-WO3 amount improved the weak links of Y-123, which
lead to strengthen the flux pinning properties of the YBCO product
throughout the applied magnetic field range. The creation of effective
pinning centers caused by the additives altered the typical behavior of
the Jc. Indeed, the nanosized W-containing inhomogeneities implanted
in the superconducting grains and the W-rich subgrain boundary net-
works existing in the Y-123 matrix are efficient pinning centers. These
two effects are assumed to be the responsible for improving the Jc in the
presence of an applied magnetic field [38]. Dew-Hughes model is the
most appreciable used model to find out the different mechanisms of
pinning centers by means of plotting fp against h [39]. fp is the reduced
pinning force fp = Fp/ Fp, max , where Fp, max is the maximum value of Fp . h
is the reduced field h = H / Hmax , where Hmax corresponds to the field
where Fp = Fp, max . Generally, the fp vs. h plots are analyzed through the
following expressions [13,40]:
for normal point pinning (NPP),
fp = 9/4h (1−h/3)2 (5)
for normal surface pinning (NSP),
(4)
fp = 25/16h1/2 (1−h/5)2 (6)
and for Δκ pinning (ΔκP),
fp = 3h2 (1−2h/3) (7)
Fig. 13 shows the plots of fp against h (scatter symbols) and fitting
data (straight lines) for various produced products. Over the applied
field range up to the hmax, The NSP is mostly the dominant pinning
mechanism in pure Y-123 product. For H higher than Hmax, the Fp ex-
ceeds the predictions offered by the theoretical pinning models. The Fp
curves for NW-WO3 added Y-123 products are not described by a single
5
Y. Slimani et al.
Fig. 11. Evolution of Jc as a function of various amount of NW-WO3 at 77 K and under applied magnetic fields of 0 and 1 T.
Fig. 12. Plots of Fp versus applied field for various amounts of NW-WO3 at 77 K.
Fig. 13. Plots of normalized pinning force "fp" against reduced magnetic field
"h" for various produced products (scatter symbols) at 77 K. The solid and da-
shed lines (color lines) represent fitting data using the Eqs. (5), (6) and (7). (For
interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is re-
ferred to the web version of this article).
model, an activation of NSP and NPP mechanisms is evident. In fact, the
fp plots accord with the NSP mechanism for lower field, with the NPP
mechanisms in the immediate vicinity of hmax and are located between
the NPP and NSP models in the higher H region. All the above obtained
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Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx
results confirmed that the NW-WO3 could have efficiently contributed
to the enhancement of flux pinning by strengthening the input of
normal centers in pinning capacities. One should mention that the
contribution of NSP and NPP mechanisms describes a larger range of H
in 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 product than in other NW-WO3
added samples. This confirms again the best flux pinning and intra-
granular properties in 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added to Y-123 product. Based
on the Jc results at 77 K, we have opted the products of 0.1 wt% NW-
WO3 added Y-123 and the pristine Y-123 as reference. Then, the Jc
values of these two samples were performed at various temperatures
from 77 K down to 10 K in order to get further information of the intra-
granular pinning effect. Fig. 14 shows variations of Jc (H) at different
temperatures for 0.0 and 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 products. Over
all the temperature range and throughout the whole magnetic field, it is
very clear that the NW-WO3 added products exhibit larger Jc values
than those of pure Y-123. In order to quantify the improvement in Jc
values, we have calculated the ratio "R" between the Jc values of 0.1 wt
% NW-WO3 added Y-123 sample and those of pure Y-123 sample, as
J (0.1wt . % TiO )
follow R = Jc (0.0wt . % TiO2) . Fig. 15 presents the ratio "R" versus tempera-
c 2
ture for H = 0 and 1 T. In the whole temperature range, the ratio R
indicates an improvement in Jc for NW-WO3 added Y-123 product
compared to pure Y-123. The Jc in NW-WO3 added Y-123 sample is
improved by a factor of 2.5–4.5 and 3.5–22 for 0 and 1 T, respectively.
This confirms the strength of flux pinning with NW-WO3 inclusion.
Previous studies on nano-entities added to YBCO superconductor syn-
thesized by SSR route reported lesser improvement of Jc [19,41]. The
obtained results approve that the addition of a fine concentration of
NW-WO3 is a significant manner to reach higher flux pinning perfor-
mances. To investigate the strength of pinning centers and categorize
them into weak pinning (WP) and strong pinning (SP) centers, the Jc
was analyzed through the theoretical predictions for WP and SP
[42–44]:
JcWP (T ) = JcWP (0)exp(−T / To) (8)
JcSP (T ) = JcSP (0)exp(−3(T / T *)2) (9)
here JcWP (0)and JcSP (0)
are the Jc at T = 0 K for WP and SP contribu-
tions, respectively. To and T* are characteristic temperatures. For HTS
compounds, the pinning centers are frequently the sources of disorder
in the product. The WP centers are mostly a result of the defects related
to the nanophases included in the superconducting matrix [19]. How-
ever, the SP centers are mainly owing to columnar defects [45], the
presence of Y-211 phase in Y-123 compounds [46], and the interfaces
between superconductor matrix and nanophases etc [47–49]. Fig. 16
illustrates the experimental Jc(T) data (scatter symbols) at an applied
field of 1 T and the fitted profiles (solid and dash lines) using Eqs. (8)
Y. Slimani et al. Ceramics International xxx (xxxx) xxx–xxx

Fig. 14. Variations of Jc(H) at different temperatures (10–77 K) for 0.0 and 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 samples.

and (9). Firstly, it is clear that the 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added to Y-123
product exhibit higher Jc(T) values than in pure Y-123 one. It is no-
ticeable that the contribution of WP centers dominates for lower tem-
peratures, while the contribution of SP centers dominates for higher
temperature range. The deflection point between WP and SP con-
tributions is observed at about T = 30 K. At the vicinity of this tem-
perature, the thermal fluctuations overcome the pinning barriers energy
of some pinning centers that became inefficient and only the strongest
pinning centers still efficient till higher temperatures. It is found that
the values of JcWP (0) and JcSP (0) are affected by NW-WO3 inclusion.
Compared to pure Y-123 product, JcWP (0) and JcSP (0) improved in 0.1 wt
% added Y-123 product by about 180% and 255%, respectively. This
improvement is mainly attributed to the W-rich nanophases implanted
in the Y-123 matrix, the intensification of the interfaces between Y-123
matrix and W-nanophases and the generated defects. The obtained re-
sults confirm that the inclusion of a fine NW-WO3 concentration can
intensify the effectiveness of pinning centers, without provoking any
Fig. 15. Quotient R =
Jc (0.1wt . % TiO2)
as a function of temperature for applied obvious suppression of Tco, and therefore the strengthening of flux
Jc (0.0wt . % TiO2)
magnetic fields of 0 and 1 T. pinning in Y-123 products.

4. Conclusion

In this investigation, the influence of NW-WO3 inclusion on the

Fig. 16. Temperature dependence of the critical current density Jc measured in
applied field of 1 T of 0.0 wt% and 0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 samples.
Solid and dashed lines correspond to the fit of the experimental data using Eqs.
(8) and (9).
structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of Y-123
were studied. XRD examination showed a predominantly single-phase
orthorhombic Y-123 phase. The crystal structure was maintained in
various products. The crystallites size (DXRD) showed an increase with
the NW-WO3 content. SEM observation indicated that the NW-WO3
addition favored the crystal growth in Y-123 by filling the voids within
the grain boundary networks. The electrical resistivity measurements
indicated that the Tco and Tcon values are almost unchanged with NW-
WO3 inclusion. However, a lower normal state resistivity is observed for
0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added to Y-123 among all the sintered products. This
suggests the decrease of porosity and the increase carrier concentration.
The Jc and Fp were estimated from the measurements of magnetization.
The obtained findings showed higher Jc and flux pinning ability in
0.1 wt% NW-WO3 added Y-123 product. The dominant pinning me-
chanisms and the strength of pinning centers in various sintered pro-
ducts were examined and discussed. The NW-WO3 addition reinforced
the contributions of normal centers in pinning properties. It is con-
cluded that the inclusion of suitable amount of WO3 nanowires into the
Y-123 superconducting matrix is an efficient route for improving the Y-
123 performances.

7
Y. Slimani et al.
Acknowledgments
The Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC) and
Deanship for Scientific Research (DSR) of Imam Abdulrahman Bin
Faisal University (IAU) are highly acknowledged for supporting this
work through project no. (2018-209-IRMC).
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