Preparation of YBa2Cu3O7–x superconducting solutions and films from alkoxide-based precursors using sol–gel method and investigation of their chemical reaction mechanisms

In the development of coated superconductors sol–gel technique has been widely used as an effective processing method, especially in making long-length wires and tapes. However, one drawback associated with the deposition of YBa2Cu3O7–x and Gd2O3 buffer layer on Ni tape is the adhesion characteristic at interfaces YBCO–Gd2O3 and Gd2O3–NiO and NiO–Ni substrate. In this paper, two strategies for adhesion enhancement of multilayered ceramic oxide coatings on Ni substrate were proposed: (1) formation of chemical bonds through surface condensation reactions, and development of ceramic networks through diffusion of alkoxide precursors. The current research has focused on the fabrication and adhesion of YBCO coatings on buffered Ni substrate using nine solutions prepared from Y, Ba and Cu alkoxides, solvent and chelating agent. Only two of YBCO solutions were successfully obtained while the rest of them were unsuccessful. Among these solutions we scrutinized chemical reaction mechanisms of a successful and an unsuccessful solution for comparison. How the chemical bonds and solubility were affected by the acids, base and solvents used in the solutions was demonstrated. It was shown that pH of the solution, homogeneity of the solution and gelation, steric affect of the chemicals in sol–gel solutions are significant issues to obtain high quality superconducting YBCO thin films. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze phase structure of YBCO and compare results of chemical reactions obtained by a chemdraw programme. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies was carried out to examine microstructures of YBCO films produced from alkoxide precursors, solvent, chelating agent and modifying liquid chemical materials such as triethanolamine or ammonium hydroxide. It was found to be YBCO, Gd2O3, NiO and Ni phases in YBCO/Gd2O3/Ni sample from XRD analysis. That the solution prepared by using triethanolamine provided the best film quality and adhesion was determined by chemical reactions and gelation behaviour in the solutions and SEM observations.