Thick REBaCuO films for power applications planted on silver tapes

We report on a novel technique of growing highly c-axis oriented ErBa ₂Cu₃O_y (Er-123) thick films on commercial silver substrates, starting from Er₂BaO₄, BaCuO ₂, and CuO powders mixed in an Er-rich Er-123 ratio. Thick films are prepared by the screen-printing technique, being then processed in Ar-1% O ₂ atmosphere. Using a there-step annealing, we obtain good quality films, with T_c (onset) 92 K. From x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, mainly the (0 0 l) reflections from the Er-123 films are observed. Formation of large flat grains, more than 100 μm in size, was observed by scanning electron microscope. The critical current density (J_c) value at 77 K and 0 T, estimated by magnetization measurements, is 32 kA/cm². The present results indicate that the large-area superconducting thick films produced by the novel technique within a short processing time, possess good electromagnetic properties. As the technology is relatively cheap, the films are appropriate for commercial applications.