Obtention of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-δ deposits by electrodeposition and electrophoresis

Abstract

Simultaneous electrodeposition of Y, Ba and Cu from solution is achieved in presence of complexing agents, using metal wires as substrates. The resulting wire is superconducting after thermal treatment at 900 °C. The main problem is the presence of excess copper in the deposit that may be easily overcome using cyanide as a complexing agent which inhibits copper deposition in DMSO. On the other hand, deposition of YBa2Cu3O7-δ particles by electrophoresis yields superconducting wires with preferential orientation and high critical currents.