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Chapter 2: Introduction
Chapter
2: High-Temperature
Superconductor Electrode Surface Properties
The conductive nature of
high-temperature superconductors makes it possible to use them as electrodes. Superconductor
electrodes can be fabricated from either bulk ceramic pellets or thin
films deposited on insulating substrates. Steps must be taken to obtain
a pristine electrode surface.1, 2 Environmental conditions that avoid degradation of the electrode
must then be maintained to preserve the condition of the electrode’s
surface.3 The surface quality of the high-temperature superconductor
electrode is critical in the formation of clean interfaces, so detailed
studies into the electrochemical response of these electrodes have
been performed.
In the first part of this
chapter, sections 2.1 - 2.4, background material will be presented
on the reactivity of high-temperature superconductors that was previously
evaluated by electrochemical methods. A disscussion on the procedures
for preparation of bulk pellets and thin-film superconductors is also
addressed. The latter portion of the chapter, sections 2.5 - 2.10,
will deal with the new research that has been completed and evaluated
for the first time.
