Artificial Pinning Center Studies in BI2212 Tapes and Bulks With Zirconium Oxide Inclusion

Zirconium oxide inclusion in Bi2212 superconducting tapes and bulks was studied as possible artificial pinning centers (APC). In order to analyze the zirconium oxide APC addition in Bi2212 samples, magnetization measurements were performed in bulks and transport properties measurements were performed on tapes. In magnetization measurements, the critical current densities are proportional to the width of the magnetization loop at each applied magnetic field. Addition of ZrO₂ in Bi2212 superconductors broadened the magnetization loop and enhanced the critical current densities at 4.2 K in bulks, as a clear indication that ZrO₂ addition improved the pinning and acted as APCs. In contrast, the transport critical current densities decreased in tapes.