Hybrid YBa2Cu3O7 Superconducting–Ferromagnetic Nanocomposite Thin Films Prepared from Colloidal Chemical Solutions. (24th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartolomé, Elena; Cayado, Pablo; Solano, Eduardo; Mocuta, Cristian; Ricart, Susagna; Mundet, Bernat; Coll, Marionna; Gázquez, Jaume; Meledin, Alexander; van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Valvidares, S. Manuel; Herrero‐Martín, Javier; Gargiani, Pierluigi; Pellegrin, Eric; Magén, Cesar; Puig, Teresa; Obradors, Xavier
• Is Part Of: Advanced Electronic Materials. Volume 3:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-05-24
• Subjects: chemical solution deposition -- ferromagnetism -- high Tc superconductors -- nanocomposites; Materials -- Electric properties -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Magnetic materials -- Periodicals; Electronic apparatus and appliances -- Periodicals; 537
• DOI: 10.1002/aelm.201700037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2199-160X

Abstract

Abstract : High T c superconductor–ferromagnetic heterostructures constitute an appealing playground to study the interplay between flux vortices and magnetic moments. Here, the capability of a solution‐derived route to grow hybrid YBa2 Cu3 O7 ‐ferromagnetic nanocomposite epitaxial thin films from preformed spinel ferrite (MFe2 O4, M = Mn, Co) nanoparticles (NPs) is explored. The characterization, performed using a combination of structural and magnetic techniques, reveals the complexity of the resulting nanocomposites. Results show that during the YBCO growth process, most of the NPs evolve to ferromagnetic double‐perovskite (DP) phases (YBaCu2− x − y Fe x Co y O5 /YBaCoFeO5 ), while a residual fraction of preformed ferrite NPs may remain in the YBCO matrix. Magnetometry cycles reflect the presence of ferromagnetic structures associated to the DPs embedded in the superconducting films. In addition, a superparamagnetic signal that may be associated with a diluted system of ferromagnetic clusters around complex defects has been detected, as previously observed in standard YBCO films and nanocomposites. The hybrid nanocomposites described in this work will allow studying several fundamental issues like the nucleation of superconductivity and the mechanisms of magnetic vortex pinning in superconducting/ferromagnetic heterostructures. Abstract : The synthesis and magnetostructural characterization of YBCO superconducting films with ferromagnetic inclusions prepared by a chemical solution methodology, by mixing a colloidal solution of preformed ferrite nanoparticles into the TFA‐YBCO precursor solution is reported. These hybrid nanocomposites will allow studying several fundamental issues such as the nucleation of superconductivity and the mechanisms of magnetic vortex pinning in superconducting/ferromagnetic heterostructures.