Electrodeposited films of YBa2Cu3O7-x on Ag and on SrTiO3: a comparison

Thick films (similar to 30 mu) of YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) have been obtained thr ough cationic electrodeposition on silver and on reduced SrTiO3, so as to m ake it conducting and eliminate the need for a conducting buffer layer( Spa nish patent P9802655). The superconducting films morphology is, in both cases, of a columnar type, as shown by SEM, leaving some empty spaces in between the columns. These s paces can be diminished, when silver is used as a substrate, by a multiple sequential electrodeposition. Although the films are then not continuous, c ritical temperatures are as high as usual (similar to 92 K) and critical cu rrents las determined by the Bean method) are, in A/cm(2), respectively 950 0 for YBCO/Ag and 3250 for YBCO/SrTiO3.