YBA2CU3O7-DELTA WIRES BY ELECTRODEPOSITION OF METALLIC ELEMENTS AND BY ELECTROPHORESIS

The formation of superconducting coatings over metallic wires has been investigated by electrodeposition of the metal elements and by electrophoresis of the preformed oxide. The influence of the media, the applied potential and the addition of complexing agents or organic additives has been studied. Preliminary experiments show that, in electrodeposition, the best ratio of YBa2Cu3O7-delta to CuO or other impurities is achieved with addition of small amounts of water to the organic solvent. The best results in electrophoresis are obtained from butanol suspensions and further annealing in oxygen. The critical currents obtained at liquid N2 temperature in the latter case are notable (100-600 A/cm2) as compared with other non-textured deposits obtained by the same method.