Structure of high-Tc superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O films prepared by spray pyrolysis

High-T_c superconducting films of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O have been synthesized by spray pyrolysis of nitrate precursors onto yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), followed by rapid annealing at 840°C in air/oxygen. The films are preferentially oriented with c-axis parallel to the plane of the substrate surface. The diffraction patterns of the films correspond to a mixed phase orthorhombic structure, with different c-values of 24.49 Å, 30.78 Å and 37.25 Å. These films exhibit superconductivity at 91 K and zero resistance at 77 K.