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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
2-ethylhexanoic acid (2EHA) has been applied to control the YBa2Cu3O7−x sol-gel solution. The experimental results prove that 2EHA functions as a sol-gel solution structure controlling and precipitation-prevention agent. The structure of the solution can be one, two or three dimensions of the network by using different concentration of 2EHA to modify the metal alkoxides. With decreasing 2EHA concentration, the homogeneity is improved due to increasing the network connectivity. This results in: (1) ease of the formation of YBa2Cu3O7−x; (2) denser microstructure with fine grains; and (3) narrower but lower superconducting transition.