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CeO 2 Buffer Layers for HTSC by an Aqueous Sol‐Gel Method – Chemistry and Microstructure
Author(s) -
Van de Velde Nigel,
Van de Vyver David,
Brunkahl Oliver,
Hoste Serge,
Bruneel Els,
Van Driessche Isabel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.200900257
Subject(s) - microstructure , chemistry , aqueous solution , thin film , cerium , buffer (optical fiber) , chemical engineering , doping , texture (cosmology) , coating , layer (electronics) , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , materials science , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , crystallography , telecommunications , artificial intelligence , computer science , engineering , image (mathematics)
During the last decade the focus in superconductivity research has shifted towards the manufacturing of easy‐to‐handle superconductors, because of their high usability in electronic applications in comparison to bulky ceramics. This article reviews our recent progress made in the buffer‐layer architecture of such a coated conductor, focusing on CeO 2 thin films prepared by an aqueous sol‐gel method and deposited by dip‐coating. Starting from water‐soluble cerium(III) nitrate precursors, we were able to deposit films showing a very high degree of [002] orientation depending on the film characteristics and synthesis conditions. The formation and stability of the chemical complexes in the solution was studied by potentiometric titrations. The main parameters influencing the texture seem to be the ambient Ar‐(5 %)H 2 atmosphere and the thickness of the synthesized buffer layers. The microstructure of the thin films deposited on metallic tapes was controlled by the incorporation of doping elements. This research allowed us to achieve a 50 nm thick CeO 2 film, showing a very high degree of [002] orientation and exhibiting a low surface roughness. SubsequentYBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 synthesis by TFA‐MOD resulted in promising XRD and J c measurements. Our easy‐to‐use, environmentally friendly strategy could contribute to the spreading of the use of coated conductors in everyday applications.