Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
We describe a dip-coating method of depositing thin electronic ceramic coatings on various substrates from sol-gel solutions. The solutions we use are alkoxide-based, although the specific formulations depend on the system being deposited. We are working with two electronic ceramic systems: barium titanate on glass, and alumina, and yttrium barium copper oxide on alumina. We discuss methods used to reduce and remove processing defects such as crazing, cracking and pin-holing. We are also studying the effects of varying the processing conditions (dipping, hydrolysis and firing) on the electronic properties of the films. Initial results on BaTiO3 indicate that it is better to deposit thin films (∼0.1 – 0.2μm) and build up the coating thickness by repeated dipping.