Use of SrTiO3 as a substrate for YBa2Cu3O7-x electrodeposition

YBa2Cu3O7-x thick films (similar to 40 mum) have been prepared by electrode position using reduced SrTiO3-x as a substrate. The process consists of thr ee main steps. The first step is the reduction of a SrTiO3 single-crystal a t high temperature. This generates a conducting substrate, which can be use d as a cathode in a three-electrode electrochemical cell. The second step i s the co-electrodeposition of Y3+, Ba2+, and Cu2+. This produces a precurso r film with a mixture of the elements on the atomic scale. The final step i s the oxidation of the precursor film at high temperature. This produces th e desired superconducting phase and re-oxidizes the SrTiO3-x. Thus, we have successfully electrodeposited a superconducting film on an insulating subs trate (E. Moran, M. A. Alario-Franco and M. S. Martin-Gonzalez, Spanish Pat ent P9802655, 1998).