Effect of Graphene Oxide Doping on Bulk High Temperature Superconductors For Power Applications

Abstract

Bulk high temperature superconductors (HTS) in their non-textured form consists of a network of weak-links at its grain boundaries. The weak-links are a result of an incorrect stoichiometric ratio or misaligned grain planes, and greatly reduce the critical current density. High temperature bulk superconductor, in our case Y1 Ba2 Cu3 O7-δ (YBCO), was doped with graphene oxide in the following weight percentages: 0, 0.5 and 0.7 wt. %. Resistance vs Temperature measurements were taken in zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) conditions in order to determine critical transition temperature (Tc) and to study the effect on the weak-links. It is observed that Tc in doped samples increased and there is an improvement in the weak-link effect in doped samples.