Superconducting Oxides by the Sol-Gel Method Using Alkoxides

The superconducting oxide Y-Ba-Cu-O has successfully been fabricated by the sol-gel method using Y, Ba, and Cu alkoxides as starting materials. Powders with specific surface area of 15 m 2 /g are prepared by this method. An X-ray diffraction pattern attributed to a 1-2-3 structure appears at 750°C and a bulk sample with T c of 90 K is made by 900°C sintering in an oxygen atmosphere. A film of T c =80 K with c -axis orientation is also fabricated using the sol-gel paste on an yttrium-stabilized ZrO 2 substrate.