Synthesis and characterization of (Hg0.8Re0.2)Ba2CaCu2O6+delta thick filmson Ag obtained by a two-step dip-coating/rolling method

(Hg0.8Re0.2)Ba2CaCu2O6+delta ((Hg,Re)1212) thick films were fabricated by a two-step method of dip coating and rolling Re0.2Ba2Ca2Cu3O7+delta precurso r onto Ag. The precursor tapes are then reacted in Hg vapor to form the sup erconducting phase using CaHgO2 as the Hg source. High phase purity (Hg,Re) 1212 thick film with colonies of aligned dense grains has been achieved, ch aracterized by an onset superconducting transition temperature of 118 K and the critical current of 1.6 A at 4.2 K in a self-field. The relationship b etween I-c and film thickness was explored. Investigations of the microstru cture of (Hg,Re)1212 close to the silver interface and the magnetization hy steresis loop widths indicate that the major contribution to I-c originates from the thin layer close to the interface, Inhomogeneous film thickness m akes J(c) difficult to determine accurately, however, the average value is approximate to 3 x 10(3) A/cm(2) and the maximum local J(c) is at least 2 x 10(4) A/cm(2) at 4.2 K, self-field. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.