Surface treatment of nickel substrate for the preparation of BSCCO film through sol-gel method

A modified degreasing-oxidization process was devised and settled to treat the surface of nickel (Ni) substrates, and BSCCO films were prepared on the treated NiO/Ni substrates by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy were adopted to clarify the function of different treatment on phase formation and wettability of NiO/Ni substrates. Differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry analysis were adopted to confirm the desirable heat treatment process. XRD and scanning electron microscopy were adopted to investigate the phase constituent and surface morphology of BSCCO films. Results demonstrate that both the surface wettability of the substrate to sol and the lattice matching between the substrate and BSCCO can be improved through the modified treatment, which are favorable for the preparation of BSCCO films.

► A modified degreasing-oxidization process was applied to treat Nickel substrate. ► Wettability of the surface to BSCCO precursor sol can be remarkably enhanced. ► BSCCO tapes with preferential orientation were prepared on treated substrates via sol-gel process. ► The preferential orientation is attributed to the spontaneous orientation rotation growth of BSCCO to decrease lattice mismatch energy.