Influence of the low oxygen partial pressures on thick YBCO coated conductor by sol–gel process

The effects of annealing under varying oxygen partial pressures on the formation of YBa 2Cu 3O 7− x (YBCO) superconducting thick films by sol–gel process were investigated. Superconducting thick films of YBCO were prepared on nickel tapes buffered with yttrium stabilized zirconia layers by continuous sol–gel dip coating method. Annealing of YBCO coated conductor was performed under varying low oxygen partial pressures. SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses were used to characterize the YBCO coated conductor. The thick films produced in this manner were dense and free of cracks. It was found that the oxygen partial pressure affects the texture formation of YBCO thick film.