Magnetization and Susceptibility Studies on BaZrO3-Doped YBa2Cu3O7 − x Bulk Superconductors

We studied the YBa2Cu3O7 − x bulk superconductor doped with BaZrO3 up to 50 wt.%, obtained by solid-state reaction powder technology. From DC magnetization loops and low frequency AC susceptibility measurements we determined the influence of the BaZrO3 doping level on the critical temperature, critical current density, field for full penetration, and intergrain lower critical field. The results show that even high content of BaZrO3 does not lead to degradation of the superconducting properties of bulk YBa2Cu3O7 − x.