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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
Yttrium methoxyethoxide, barium methoxyethoxide and various copper(II) alkoxide groups were used as precursors for the formation of YBa2Cu3O7-δ stable sols in a 2- methoxyethanol / methyl ethyl ketone / toluene / diisopropyl ketone solvent system. Sol fractal dimensions were varied with the sol concentration and with the addition of pyridine. Strong correlation was found between the wettability and the fractal dimensions of the various precursors as determined by contact angle measurements. YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films were deposited on sapphire substrates using a dip-coating technique. The films were fired at 850°C under flowing oxygen or an ozone/oxygen mixture. Although the ozonetreatments helped in the formation of single YBa2Cu3O7-δ phase, they contributed to extensive cracking in the films. The different copper(II) alkoxide precursors had little effect on final film microstructure.