Investigation of the function for buffer layer in coated conductors

We have studied the detailed function of La₂Zr₂O₇ (LZO) and CeO₂ buffer layer in coated conductors. The results reveal that there is an obvious transformation trend of the orientation for NiO phase from (111) to (00l) in all samples with the increase of oxygen partial pressure in annealing atmosphere. Moreover, it indicates that LZO possesses an effective inhibiting function to the formation of NiO compared with CeO₂. Therefore, it can be considered that LZO is often fit for being as barrier layer, while CeO₂ is commonly to be as cap layer in multi-layer architecture of buffer layers in coated conductors.