Optimization of the electrophoretic deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting large area coatings

Large area coatings (>10cm²) of the high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1 – 0.2) (YBCO) have been prepared by scale up an electrophoretic deposition technique using silver sheets and Si-wafers coated with Ag or Au as substrates. Several parameters, like the kind of the solvent, the applied voltage, the distance between the electrodes, the initial concentration of the suspension and the temperature during the electrophoresis were investigated in order to attain high deposition rates, as well as uniform YBCO coatings with the proper stoichiometry. To obtain a strongly adherent and dense coating a subsequent appropriate sintering and annealing procedure has been developed. The coatings obtained were characterized for their stoichiometry and superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The homogeneity and thickness of the films and the average grain size of the deposited particles have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Optimization of the Sintering Process by DSC for the Preparation of High-Temperature Superconductors

The optimum calcination and sintering conditions for the preparation of the desired phases with the proper stoichiometry of the bulk high-temperature superconductors YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x (YBCO) and Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_y> (BSCCO) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. DSC analysis on the corresponding superconducting coatings, electrophoretically deposited, indicated that the sintering and annealing procedure was suitable for the production of stable, strong and adherent coatings. X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements confirmed the improved properties of the superconducting powders and coatings obtained. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrical transport properties of liquid alloys

Two complementary mechanisms have been proposed for relatively high temperature superconductor MgB₂. While the first is the electron–phonon mechanism of BCS theory, advocated strongly by Pickett and co-workers, the second, by Bianconi et al., invokes Feshbach shape resonances. While we cannot presently discount the second mechanism, and while both proposals exploit the multiband nature of the electronic structure of MgB₂, we show here that five body-centred cubic (bcc) transition metals, whose superconducting transition temperature correlate intimately with elastic constants and therefore are plainly BCS-like in character, lie on a curve which has MgB₂ at the high T _c end. Any alternative mechanism to electron–phonon interaction in MgB₂ will need to account quantitatively for this circumstance.     

Analytical Techniques Applied in Optimization of Electrophoretic Deposition of Thin Film YBCO Superconductors

 YBa₂Cu₃O _7−x (x = 0.1–0.2) compounds (YBCO) were produced by the oxalate coprecipitation and the solid state reaction methods. The powders obtained were used for the production of YBCO superconducting coatings on Pt/Si wafers, by the electrophoretic deposition technique. The optimum process conditions for the production of both powders and coatings were found by using a combination of modern analytical techniques. The thermal treatment of the samples was followed by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The optimization and characterization of the superconducting properties of the powders and coatings were achieved by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, magnetic susceptibility and electrical resistivity measurements.     

Silica-Zirconia Coatings Produced by Dipping and EPD from Colloidal Sol–Gel Suspensions

SiO₂-ZrO₂ sols have been prepared via acid catalysis using a commercial colloidal suspension of zirconia and two silica alkoxides; tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES). Suspensions with 10, 15 and 25-mol% of ZrO₂ were prepared. The stability of the suspensions was followed by rheological measurements showing that the amount of water incorporated with the colloidal suspension is the factor that limits the maximum ZrO₂ content. Coatings have been prepared by dipping using the suspensions up to 25-mol% ZrO₂ onto glass-slides at different withdrawal rates. EPD process has been used to prepare coatings onto stainless steel AISI 304 using the suspension with 25-mol% ZrO₂ at different pHs. The parameters associated with the EPD process (current density, electric field, potential and deposition time) have been evaluated. The critical thickness for a ZrO₂ addition of 25-mol% was 0.8 μm and it increased for diminishing ZrO₂ content.     

Antimicrobial Activity of MgB2 Powders Produced via Reactive Liquid Infiltration Method

We report for the first time on the antimicrobial activity of MgB₂ powders produced via the Reactive Liquid Infiltration (RLI) process. Samples with MgB₂ wt.% ranging from 2% to 99% were obtained and characterized, observing different levels of grain aggregation and of impurity phases. Their antimicrobial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC BAA 1026, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. A general correlation is observed between the antibacterial activity and the MgB₂ wt.%, but the sample microstructure also appears to be very important. RLI-MgB₂ powders show better performances compared to commercial powders against microbial strains in the planktonic form, and their activity against biofilms is also very similar.     

MgF2 Xerogels

MgF₂ protective and antireflective coatings have been conventionally produced by sputtering or chemical vapour deposition CVD [1, 2], but here sol-gel routes to MgF₂ are explored. MgF_2(M) and MgF_2(E) were prepared using an alkoxide:HF:ROH mole ratio of 1:2:200 with methanol and ethanol respectively. All sols were stable for over a year. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of MgF₂ in samples (but also traces of MgO), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggested some F deficiency in the surface. Nevertheless, the MgF₂ xerogels had surface areas and porosities that were very high and this may be used to advantage in coatings or sensors.     

Preparation and characterization of electrophoretically deposited high-temperature superconductor coatings

The high-temperature superconductor, YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1–0.2) [YBCO], was prepared using an optimized calcination and sintering process. Thin layers of a few microns of this material were deposited on a silver substrate by applying a simplified electrophoretic deposition technique in a suspension of the fine, < 10 m, superconductor powder in a non-aqueous liquid. To get a uniform and strongly adherent coating, the deposition process is repeated several times, followed by an appropriate sintering procedure. The initially prepared YBCO powder and the coatings produced were characterized for their superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), magnetization measurements with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) and electrical resistivity measurements. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) the grain size of the YBCO film, its thickness and impurity content, respectively, were estimated.     

Porous metallic substrates for superconducting coatings

By an example of porous metal tubes and thin plates prepared from the stainless steel powder a simple method is described of preparation of porous metallic substrates for superconducting coatings. The tubes outer diameter is 12 mm, length up to 300 mm, wall thickness about ∼1.5 mm. The plate size is 85×85 mm, thickness 1 mm. We used the classic method of powder metallurgy, without any fillers. After sintering, the tube had a density 2.5–3.4 g cm⁻³ and open porosity 55–65%. The microstructure of the tubes and plates surfaces and breaks was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The porous tubes were prepared also from powdered copper, nickel, titanium, and chromium, as well as from mixtures of stainless steel and copper, nickel and pseudoalloy Cu(30%)-Cr. The first coatings with superconducting compound MgB₂ were prepared.     

On the existence of solid solutions based on magnesium diboride

Dense samples of pure magnesium boride and of the compositions Mg_(1–x)A _x B₂ (A = Na, K, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sn, Ti; 0.05 < x < 0.15) were prepared by sintering and using high temperature—high pressure treatment. The lattice parameters of most of the doped MgB₂ samples vary only slightly as compared to those of the pure MgB₂ irrespective of the sample preparation procedure, high temperature—high pressure treatment conditions, and the amount of dopant, thus indicating the absence of extended solid solution regions. The superconducting transition temperatures of all the samples did not exceed the value characteristic of MgB₂ (39±1 K). The results obtained for the dense MgB₂ samples using the Andreev reflection and tunneling spectroscopies confirm the two-gap nature of superconductivity in magnesium diboride and point to analogy between the superconductivity mechanisms in this compound and in cuprates.     

Influence of MoSi2 content in suspension on the phase, microstructure and properties of hydrothermal electrophoretic deposited SiC n �CMoSi2 coating for SiC pre-coated C/C composites

To protect carbon/carbon (C/C) composites from oxidation at high temperature, a nano SiC?CMoSi₂ (SiC _n ?CMoSi₂) coating on SiC pre-coated C/C composites was prepared by hydrothermal electrophoretic deposition. The phase composition, surface and cross-section microstructures of the prepared SiC _n ?CMoSi₂ coating deposited with different MoSi₂/SiC _n mass ratio were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of MoSi₂ content in the hydrothermal electrophoretic deposition suspension on the phase composition, microstructure and high-temperature oxidation resistance of the multi-layer coatings were investigated. Results showed that the content of MoSi₂ phase in the prepared coating increases with the increase of MoSi₂ content in the suspension. The density and oxidation resistance of the SiC_n-MoSi₂ coating improve with the increase of MoSi₂ mass content from 20 to 60 wt% in the deposition suspension. However, micro-cracks and micro-holes in the coating are found when deposited with 80 wt% MoSi₂, and a decrease in oxidation resistance was also detected. The multi-layer coatings deposited with suspension of 60 wt% MoSi₂ exhibited the best anti-oxidation ability, which can effectively protect C/C composites from oxidation in air at 1,873 K for 90 h with weight loss of 2.08%.     

Effect of substrate materials on the superconducting properties of electrophoretically deposited YBa2Cu3O7−x coatings

Coatings of the high-temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1–0.2) (YBCO), were deposited on commercial Ni,Ti and stainless steel substrates, by an electrophoretic deposition technique. Sintering and annealing procedures were followed in order to get strongly adherent superconducting films. The suitability of the used substrates was tested by measuring the stoichiometry and the superconducting properties of the deposited coatings by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetization measurements with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).     

Prétraitements de nitruration compatibles avec les procédés MOCVD et PACVD: Influence sur l'adhérence de revêtements céramiques sur ACIER

The influence of nitriding pretreatments of steel substrates on the adhesion of representative ceramic coatings has been investigated. Vapor phase nitriding using the mixture NH₃/H₂/He has been applied before the growth by MOCVD of vanadium nitrides, carbonitrides and oxides. Similarly, microwave plasma nitriding using the mixture N₂/Ar was applied prior to the deposition by PACVD of silicon carbide based films. The nitriding pretreatment enhances the adhesion of plasma SiC(H) and MOCVD V(C,N) and V₂O₃ coatings but is not favorable to a better adhesion of MOCVD VN-type films. The different mechanical behaviors of these coatings are discussed in terms of compatibility between the combined processes.     

Thermal analysis on C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>10</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>-doped MgB<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Additives to MgB₂ can improve the superconducting functional characteristics, such as critical current density (J _c) and irreversibility field (H _irr). Recently, we have shown that repagermanium (C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇) is an effective additive, enhancing both J _c and H _irr. To look into details of the processes taking place during the reactive sintering, a thermal analysis study (0.167 K s^?1, in Ar) is reported. We used differential scanning calorimetry between 298 and 863 K and simultaneous thermogravimetric—differential thermal analysis between 298 and 1233 K. Samples were mixtures of powders with composition 97 mol% MgB₂ and 3 mol% C₆H₁₀Ge₂O₇. Up to 863 K, repagermanium decomposes by multiple steps and forms amorphous phases. A reaction with MgB₂ is not observed. Above this temperature, partial decomposition of MgB₂ occurs. Crystalline Ge and MgO are detected before formation of Mg₂Ge and MgB₄, when temperature approaches the melting point of Ge (1211 K). Carbon substitution for boron in the crystal lattice of MgB₂ is observed for samples heated above 863 K. The amount of substitutional C does not significantly change with temperature.     

Nanosized rare-earth hexaborides: Low-temperature preparation and microstructural analysis

A versatile, rapid and easy synthesis of pure rare-earth-(RE) hexaboride powders was developed, without resorting to hazardous precursors or generating undesired, ineliminable, side products. To this purpose, we employed a metathesis reaction, typically starting from a mixture of a hydrated rare earth trichloride and MgB₂, kept at 650 °C for 1 h under vacuum. This methodology affords nanosized RE hexaborides, with average crystallite (domain) sizes down to a few nanometers, useful for tailoring the functional performances of the MgB₂ superconducting phase produced by the reactive liquid infiltration method. For the powders showing the lowest average domain sizes (YbB₆ and EuB₆), an unconventional microstructural analysis, based on Total Scattering methods and on the Debye Function Approach, was also performed, which provided the complete nanocrystal size distributions.     

Electrophoretic deposition of Al2O3/ZrO2 layer with controllable thickness in ethanol medium

ZrO₂ toughened Al₂O₃ (Al₂O₃/ZrO₂) ceramic layers with required thickness were prepared by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method using ethanol suspensions with stabilizing agent of polyethyleneimine (PEI) under constant-voltage mode in this paper. The deposition of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ ceramic powders occurred on the titanium alloy cathode. A stable suspension with 1wt% PEI in ethanol at pH 5 was prepared in terms of the zeta potential and sedimentation of the suspension. The effects of the suspension concentration, applied voltage, deposition time and processing method of titanium alloy cathode on the coating thickness and morphology were investigated. The deposition layers on titanium alloys with smooth surfaces and thickness of 0.35?C1.2 mm could be obtained by adjusting the aforementioned parameters. In addition, after being sintered at 1500°C for 3 h in air atmosphere, ZrO₂ toughened Al₂O₃ ceramic layers became smooth and dense.     

Sol-Gel Processing of Zirconia Coating for HR Mirrors with High Laser Damage Threshold

High laser-damage resistant coatings are very important in high power laser systems. In this study ZrO₂ thin films are prepared by sol-gel spin-coating technology from suitable zirconia aqueous colloidal suspensions containing nano-crystalline ZrO₂ at room temperature synthesized by a hydrothermal process from an inorganic precursor (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O). By adding a soluble organic binder PVP to the suspension prior to application, it is possible to substantially increase the coating refractive index and the abrasion-resistance as well as the laser damage threshold. The features of the coatings and the colloidal suspensions are investigated. Multilayer highly reflective dielectric coatings are also elaborated by applying quarterwave-thick alternating coatings of the binder-aided zirconia and silica, which is prepared with the sol-gel process from TEOS. To achieve 99% reflectivity, 19–21 layers are required. Single shot laser damage tests are carried out using a high power laser at 1064 nm wavelength with a pulse duration of 2.5 ns. The laser damage thresholds of 18 and 15 J/cm² are achieved for single ZrO₂-PVP coating and ZrO₂-PVP/SiO₂ multilayers respectively.     

Thermal Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition of Si-Based Ceramic Coatings from Liquid Precursors

In this paper a process based on the use of rf inductively coupled plasma is applied for the synthesis and deposition of Si-base ceramic materials (i.e., SiC, Si₃N₄, SiO₂). The starting materials are low-cost liquid disilanes. The atomization process is first investigated and the structure of the resulting coatings is characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy as well as with transmission electron microscopy. Results of the influence of some processing parameters (i.e., chamber pressure, spray distance, substrate cooling, plasma gas nature and composition, precursor composition and atomization parameters) on the phase and microstructure of the coating is reported. Control of the microstructure (or nanostructure) as well as the phase content, namely the / ratio of the phases for SiC and Si3N4, can be achieved with such a synthesis and deposition technique.     

Electrodeposition of Zn–TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanocomposite films—effect of bath composition

Zn–TiO₂ nanocomposite films were prepared by pulsed electrodeposition from acidic zinc sulphate solutions on a Ti support. The influence on the composite structural and morphological characteristics of Zn²⁺ and TiO₂ concentrations in the deposition bath has been investigated. The characterisation of the samples was made by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). For all the obtained coatings, the anatase and rutile phases’ most intense diffraction lines were observed between 24° and 28° 2θ, confirming the formation of the Zn–TiO₂ nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction data show that the presence of the TiO₂ nanoparticles plays a remarkable influence on the preferred orientation of the metal matrix. For the more diluted solution, a dependence between the metallic matrix grain size and the concentration of TiO₂ in bath is observed. The grain size decreases with the increasing on the nanoparticle amounts. The SEM results for Zn and Zn–TiO₂ deposits indicate that the nanoparticles have a strong influence on the deposit surface morphology, which is caused by the changes on the deposition mechanism.     

Thin and Thick RuO2-TiO2 Coatings on Titanium Substrates by the Sol-Gel Process

Thin and thick 20 mol% RuO₂–80 mol% TiO₂ coatings have been obtained through a combination of different preparation parameters, including catalyst and oxide concentrations, using ruthenium trichloride trihydrate and titanium n-butoxide. Acid catalysed solutions produced uniform, crack-free coatings that were too thin for use on electrocatalysis electrodes. On the other hand, base catalysed solutions produced thicker, cracked coatings. Electrodes prepared with base catalysed solutions performed well in electrocatalysis lifetime testing for corrosion stability.