Influence of additives on microstructural evolution and superconducting performance of EuBCO-Ag compounds

Bulk EuBCO-Ag superconductors doped with varying concentrations of BaO 2 and BaCeO 3 were fabricated using exceptional the top-seeded melt-growth technique in air. Microstructural analysis, including optical microscopy in polarized light and scanning electron microscopy, was conducted to correlate the size and distribution of Eu211 particles, Ag particles and porosity with the additive composition. The influence of these microstructural features on superconducting properties, assessed through levitation force, trapped magnetic field, critical current density ( J c ), and critical temperature ( T c ), was investigated. This study aims to elucidate the role of additives in optimizing the microstructure and superconducting performance of EuBCO-Ag bulk materials. • EuBCO superconductors exhibit outstanding magnetic properties. • BaO 2 and BaCeO 3 influence EuBCO-Ag microstructure and superconductivity. • Optimal total BaO 2 + BaCeO 3 concentration enhanced both the T c and J c values. • Conversely, increasing of the BaO 2 content shifts the Ba/Eu ratio towards Ba.