New Synthetic Approach to Yttrium Hydroxoacetates, Structural Characterization, and Use as a Precursor for Coated Conductors

A novel synthetic approach is given for the preparation of a metal−organic lanthanide sol−gel precursor solution
and its application for the production of coated conductors. Besides all other problems concerning the technical
process itself, the key to a successful deposition of oxide layers is the choice of the precursor solution and the
understanding of the mechanism of deposition. Moreover, the isolation and characterization of the species involved
in the reaction is very important. Regarding the complex process occurring during the formation of the surface
layer, it is obvious that the best choice should have a compound already containing the final composition of the
layer. Two compounds of composition [Y(OAc)3(H2O)2]2 (1) and [Y(OAc)3]2(H2O) (2) were isolated from their precursor
solution and characterized by X-ray structural analysis. A short outlook will give an insight into the possible bonding
mechanisms of the surface layer. These experiments were made with the mixed metal−oxide system yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide, which is widely used as a substrate for superconducting oxides. A study of the structure
of hydrated yttrium acetates, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectra, and elemental analysis demonstrates
that there are two separate structures for hydrated yttrium acetates, which play a role as an intermediate in the
building of ceramic oxide layers for coated conductors.