Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Pb-Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor films via an electrodeposition process

A novel electrochemical process has been developed for the formation of superconducting films. Using this process, superconducting films of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 and (Pb,Bi)2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 have been formed. The process consists of simultaneously depositing the metallic constituents of the superconductor from a single electrolyte, and thermally oxidizing the resulting precursor film to form the superconducting phase. Application of -4 to -5 V vs Ag/Ag+ to a conductive cathode substrate, immersed in an electrolyte containing salts of all of the metals, reduces the metal cations causing them to deposit on the cathode as a metallic film precursor. Precursor films having desired stoichiometries were obtained by regulating the electrolyte bath composition