YBCO SUPERCONDUCTING THICK FILMS: ELECTROPHORETIC DEPOSITION (EPD) ON NON-PLANAR SILVER SUBSTRATES

Scientific conference (2013, January 30)

A new formulation of a stable YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) suspension is proposed in which butanol is preferred to the commonly-used acetone as the suspension medium. Appropriate surfactant has been used to develop ... [more ▼]

A new formulation of a stable YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) suspension is proposed in which butanol is preferred to the commonly-used acetone as the suspension medium. Appropriate surfactant has been used to develop the superficial charge on the YBCO particles in order to promote migration during the process of electrophoresis. YBCO thick films were deposited on silver tubes and half-tubes by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The EPD parameters (deposition voltage, deposition time, number of layers etc.) were optimized with respect to the microstructural properties of the YBCO layers after an intermediate heat treatment at 920°C. An essential criterion is the minimization of macrocracks after the 920°C heat treatment, since it was found to favour good superconducting properties after the final heat treatment. This final heat treatment involves (i) partial melting above the peritectic temperature, (ii) peritectic recombination at lower temperature and (iii) reoxygenation at 500°C. Finally, the superconducting properties of the best films are discussed. A uniformly coated 55μm-thick YBCO film on a curved Ag substrate showed excellent superconducting properties with the onset of critical temperature at 92.2 K and an associated sharp resistive transition with transition width < 1 K. [less ▲]

Lithium transition metal (Ti, Nb, V) oxide mesoporous thin films: contrasting results when attempting direct synthesis by evaporation-induced self assembly

in Microporous & Mesoporous Materials (2013), 172

This work investigates the possibility to prepare mesoporous thin films of Li-Ti, Li-Nb, Li-Nb-V and Li-V oxides through a direct sol-gel EISA route by dissolving a lithium salt in the precursor solution ... [more ▼]

This work investigates the possibility to prepare mesoporous thin films of Li-Ti, Li-Nb, Li-Nb-V and Li-V oxides through a direct sol-gel EISA route by dissolving a lithium salt in the precursor solution. Experimental conditions involve a hydrolysis molar ratio H2O/TM ~10 (TM = Ti,Nb,V) and the common Pluronic structuring agent P123 (EO20-PO70-EO20). Systematic formation of lithium-containing oxides as first-crystallizing phases points to a significant intermixture of lithium and transition metal ions in the inorganic network. In the case of Ti-based and Nb-based oxide films, addition of lithium to the precursor solution is compatible with the formation of amorphous mesoporous films at 350°C. On the contrary, addition of lithium has a detrimental effect on the notoriously difficult formation of vanadium-based mesostructured films: even when replacing half of the vanadium by niobium as a stabilizer, formation of mesostructured films has not been possible in the investigated range of experimental conditions. [less ▲]

YBa2Cu3O7-x thick films on silver tubes for magnetic shielding applications

Scientific conference (2012, December 07)

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) thick films are investigated for magnetic shielding applications at low frequencies (< 1 kHz). This requires deposition of YBCO on curved substrates such as tubes, half-tubes or even ... [more ▼]

YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) thick films are investigated for magnetic shielding applications at low frequencies (< 1 kHz). This requires deposition of YBCO on curved substrates such as tubes, half-tubes or even more complex shapes. Electrophoretic Deposition (EPD) is an efficient method to achieve this goal: positively-charged YBCO particles suspended in a non aqueous medium drift towards the substrate, used as negative electrode for the application of the electric field. A crucial point is then to optimize the heat treatment of the as-deposited layers in order to achieve suitable superconducting properties. In the present work, we have developed a new suspension formulation in butanol, using a suitable surfactant to stabilize the suspension of YBCO powder (grain size < 2 µm). The EPD parameters (deposition voltage, deposition time, number of layers,...) have been selected to provide uniform layers of YBCO on silver substrates of various shapes. In the proposed communication, we shall discuss in detail the optimization of the heat treatments to achieve densification, peritectic recombination and oxygenation of the YBCO thick films deposited on silver. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive analysis was extensively used to characterize the (i) density / porosity, (ii) presence of macro-cracks, (iii) thickness uniformity, (iv) secondary phase content. We shall then present the characterization of the superconducting properties of the best films. Typically, a uniformly coated 55μm-thick YBCO film on a curved Ag substrate shows a magnetic Tc onset at 92.2 K and sharp resistive transition (< 1K). [less ▲]

TiO2 templated multilayer films used as high efficiency photoelectrode in liquid or solid DSSCs

Conference (2012, April 10)

Mesoporous anatase thin films are very promising materials to act as electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. Randomly oriented nanocrystalline TiO2 particles are usually used to prepare photoelectrodes ... [more ▼]

Mesoporous anatase thin films are very promising materials to act as electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. Randomly oriented nanocrystalline TiO2 particles are usually used to prepare photoelectrodes with a thickness of 10-15 µm. Templated-assisted dip-coating techniques are used to obtain thin films with ordered porosity. However, monolayer films prepared by dip-coating from a solution suffer from a low quantity of active material with a limited surface area, leading to poor photovoltaic performances. Therefore a multilayer deposition process is needed to increase the film thickness along with surface area. Multilayer dip-coating procedures have already been reported but are usually characterized by a lack of linearity in the evolution of parameters (roughness, surface area, PV performances) as the number of layer increases. In this study, we investigate a dip-coating-based multilayer deposition technique delaying these limitations. First, the influence of the template on the film organization and porosity is studied in terms of long-range order, percentage of porosity, pore size, surface area and pores connectivity. Different techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atmospheric poroellipsometry (AEP) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis.) have been used to describe the microstructural features of the films. The film exhibiting the highest dye loading was selected and its thickness gradually increased up to 4 µm. Finally, the photovoltaic performances of the thick films (1 to 4 µm) have been evaluated in combination with the N719 dye and a liquid electrolyte and show excellent efficiency (6.1%) when compared to values reported in the literature. Such mesostructured films were compared in terms of photovoltaic performance with TiO2 nanoparticles films, generally used in DSSC. Films were further evaluated by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) as high performance photoelectrode in solid-state DSSCs, in combination with Z907 dye and Spiro-OMeTAD as solid electrolyte. [less ▲]

Nanosphere Lithography and Hydrothermal Growth : How to Increase Surface Area and Control Reversible Wetting Properties of ZnO Nanowire Arrays ?

in Journal of Materials Chemistry (2012), 22(33), 17086-17093

Due to their large surface-area-to-volume ratio as well as their interesting intrinsic optical and electronic properties, ZnO 1D nanostructures are part of the few dominant materials for nanotechnology ... [more ▼]

Due to their large surface-area-to-volume ratio as well as their interesting intrinsic optical and electronic properties, ZnO 1D nanostructures are part of the few dominant materials for nanotechnology. In this article, we compare two different routes of using the nanosphere lithography for the manufacturing of well-aligned, density-controlled ZnO nanowires by low-temperature hydrothermal growth. The first route uses the colloidal mask as a template for the patterned growth of the nanowires, while in the second route, the nanospheres act as a mask to pattern the seed layer. SEM and XRD characterizations are performed on samples manufactured by both routes and evidence patterned well-aligned nanowires with high c-axis texturing in the first synthetic route. Oriented growth is less pronounced in the second route, as well as the ability to adsorb dye. However, for the first route the dye loading measurements reveal that the amount of N-719 adsorbed is higher than on unpatterned ZnO nanowires films, highlighting an increased interface area. Reversible hydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity transition was observed and intelligently controlled by alternation of UV illumination and dark storage. This promising synthetic route opens exciting perspectives for the production of ZnO nanowire arrays with tunable density, wetting properties and enhanced adsorption properties. [less ▲]

Preparation and characterisation of Ag incorporated Al2O3 nanocomposite films obtained by sol-gel method

in Crystal Research and Technology (2012), 47(5), 579-584

Sol-gel route has been applied for a deposition of the thin films of aluminum oxide and Ag embedded in Al2O3 films. The films are spin-coated on Si and quartz substrates with the film thickness of 120 nm ... [more ▼]

Sol-gel route has been applied for a deposition of the thin films of aluminum oxide and Ag embedded in Al2O3 films. The films are spin-coated on Si and quartz substrates with the film thickness of 120 nm. XRD analysis has been used for the determination of the film structure. FTIR spectroscopy is applied for studying vibrational properties of the obtained coatings. Optical characterization is done by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The formation of Ag nanoparticles has been confirmed by XRD and optical data. The sol-gel process is found to be useful technology for incorporation of Ag nanoparticles in the metal oxide matrices. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. [less ▲]

Microstructural evolution of a TiO2 mesoporous single layer film under calcination: Effect of stabilization and repeated thermal treatments on the film crystallization and surface area

in Thin Solid Films (2012), 520

This study quantifies the highest perturbation encountered by the first layer of a TiO2 12 layers-mesoporous coating, which is submitted to a multistep calcination process. Besides, we propose an ... [more ▼]

This study quantifies the highest perturbation encountered by the first layer of a TiO2 12 layers-mesoporous coating, which is submitted to a multistep calcination process. Besides, we propose an alternative thermal treatment in order to limit the degradation induced by repeated calcinations. This paper reports and compares the modifications in film thickness, surface area, anatase crystallite size and global crystallinity of films obtained from different thermal treatments. It defines the maximum crystal size compatible with the preservation of the mesoarchitecture initially induced by templating. Differences in microporosity and rate of crystallization are also discussed. [less ▲]

Synthesis of LiFePO4/Carbon composite cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Conference (2011, June 23)

Dense La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85 electrolyte for IT-SOFC's: Sintering study and electrochemical characterization

in Journal of Alloys & Compounds (2011), 509(5), 1493-1500

This paper presents the sintering behaviour of a La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85 coral-like microstructure powder. This is prepared by a successive freeze-drying and self-ignition process followed by ... [more ▼]

This paper presents the sintering behaviour of a La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85 coral-like microstructure powder. This is prepared by a successive freeze-drying and self-ignition process followed by calcination at 1200 ◦C during 1 h. This synthesis method gives great uniformity of the powder and allows shaping into compacts without requiring a grinding step. The grain size distribution (between 0.5 and 4 m) favours a good sintering behaviour: open porosity disappear at 1400 ◦C and relative densities over 99% can be achieved after 6 h at 1450 ◦C. The same powder can also be sintered into a thin disc of ∼100 mthickness. The characterization of the dense material by impedance spectroscopy shows that the activation energies below and above 600 ◦C are 1.0 eV and 0.7 eV, respectively. The conductivity at 800 ◦C is ∼0.11 S cm−1. Special attention is devoted to the temperature range between 200 ◦C and 400 ◦C, where the intragrain and intergrain contributions can be distinguished. The analysis of the parameters describing the intragrain constant phase element in the equivalent circuit suggests that, above 325 ◦C, the system evolves from a distribution of relaxation time to only one relaxation time. The analysis of the data by the complexes permittivity show that ionic oxide conduction mechanism would occur in two steps. In the first, an oxygen vacancy would be released and, in the second, the migration of the ionic oxide would take place in the material. [less ▲]

Hydrogel nanocomposites: a potential UV/blue light filtering material for ophthalmic lenses

in Journal of Biomaterials Science. Polymer Edition (2011), 22

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA-co-MMA)) and ZnS hydrogel nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. The chemical composition of the inorganic nanoparticles was ... [more ▼]

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) (poly(HEMA-co-MMA)) and ZnS hydrogel nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. The chemical composition of the inorganic nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and the homogeneity of their distribution within the hydrogel was assessed by transmission electron microscopy. The influence of the content of ZnS nanoparticles on the optical performances of the nanocomposites was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The ability of the hydrogel nanocomposites to filter the hazardous UV light and part of the blue light was reported, which makes them valuable candidates for ophthalmic lens application. In contrast to the optical properties, the thermo-mechanical properties of neat poly(HEMA-co-MMA) hydrogels were found to be largely independent of filling by ZnS nanoparticles ( 2 mg/ml co-monomer mixture). Finally, in vitro cell adhesion test with lens epithelial cells (LECs), extracted from porcine lens crystalline capsule, showed that ZnS had no deleterious effect on the biocompatibility of neat hydrogels, at least at low content. [less ▲]