Highly textured La2Zr2O7 and CeO2 buffer layers by ink jet printing for coated conductors

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to prove the possibility to produce single side buffered substrates for coated conductors. We report for the first time the production of highly textured NiW/La2Zr2O7/CeO2 system by all-chemical solution deposition means using an in-house built drop-on-demand ink-jet printer. Lanthanum zirconate precursor ink was produced using lanthanum acetate and zirconium n-propoxide modified with propionic and acetic acid, respectively, and diluted with methanol. Cerium oxide precursor ink was prepared using cerium acetylacetonate dissolved in acetylacetone and diluted in methanol. Optimized ink jet control parameters (inter-droplet distance, nozzle opening time and pressure in the chamber) allowed the deposition of homogeneous highly textured films with a thickness of approximately 150–200 nm at speeds as high as 27 cm/min. La2Zr2O7 film showed in plane and out of plane misalignment of 6.6° and 7.4°, respectively, whereas values obtained for CeO2 were 7.8° and 8.1°, respectively. This study represents a step forward in the production of reel-to-reel coated conductors in an efficient and economic way.