The effect of BaZrO3 addition on transport properties of Dy-based 123-211 composite materials: electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power

Composite samples made of 123-211 DyBaCuO-based systems with 1, 4, 10 and 15% in weight BaZrO3 additions have been synthesized. Their electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermoelectric power have been measured. The electrical resistivity has also been measured in a magnetic field less than 1 T. The data show that BaZrO3 addition has a non-trivial effect: beside mildly reducing the critical temperature of the superconductor, it increases the scattering at small concentration, and effectively reduces weak link features in the electrical property, but increases the thermal conductivity. The field influence on Tc is shown to be Tc(0) - Tc(B) approx. B1/2. (author)