Preparation of High-Performance SmBa2Cu3O7−x Superconducting Films by Chemical Solution Deposition Approach

Pure and Co3+-doped SmBa2Cu3O7−z (SmBCO) superconducting films were prepared on (00l) LaAlO3 single crystal substrate by self-developed fluorine-free chemical solution deposition approach. According to the X-ray diffraction and SEM observation, SmBCO films with biaxial texture possess dense, smooth, and microcrack-free surface microstructures. However, critical transition temperature (T c) of a Co3+-doped SmBCO film is lower than that of pure SmBCO film, which may be attributed to the Co3+ doping decreasing the concentration of hole carriers for doped film. In addition, the Co3+-doped film has higher normalized critical current densities (J c) in the whole magnetic fields, indicating better magnetic flux pinning properties. These results show that Co3+ doping by this chemical method is one of the promising ways to prepare high-performance SmBCO films.