Interactive Growth Effects of Rare‐Earth Nanoparticles on Nanorod Formation in YBa₂Cu₃O_x Thin Films

Abstract The controlled growth of self‐assembled second‐phase nanostructures has been shown to be an essential tool for enhancing properties of several composite oxide thin film systems. Here, the role of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles on the growth of BaZrO₃ (BZO) nanorods is investigated in order to understand the mechanisms governing their self‐assembly in YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (YBCO) thin films and to more fully control the resulting defect landscape. By examining the microstructure and current‐carrying capacity of BZO‐doped YBCO films, it is shown that the nanorod growth dynamics are significantly enhanced when compared to films double‐doped with BZO and Y₂O₃ nanoparticles. The average nanorod length and associated critical current densities are found to increase at a significantly higher rate in the absence of Y₂O₃ nanoparticles when the growth temperature is increased. Using microstructural data from transmission electron microscopy studies and the response in critical current density, the interactive effects of multiple dopants that must be considered to fully control the defect landscape in oxide thin films are shown.