Conductive articles and processes for their preparation

Claim 2

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (Ia) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (IIa) and the substrate is comprised of alumina, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphoux mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 3

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (Ia) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (IIa) and the substrate is comprised of glass, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase. (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 4

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (Ia) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (IIa) and the substrate is comprised of glass, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase. (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 5

An article comprised of a substrate an dan electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (I) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (II) and the substrate is comprised of metal, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450°; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 6

An article comprised of a substrate an dan electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (I) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (II) and the substrate is comprised of metal, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450°; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 7

An article according to claim 3 further characterizes in that at least the surface of the substrate contacting the conductive layer is comprised of a refractory metal.

Claim 8

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (I) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (II) and the substrate is comprised of an alkaline earth oxide, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C. and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 9

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (I) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (II) and the substrate is comprised of an alkaline earth oxide, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C. and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 10

An article according to claim 5 further characterized in that the electrically conductive layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 10° K. and the substrate is comprised of magnesia.

Claim 11

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (Ia) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (IIa) and the substrate exhibits a perovskite crystal structure, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 12

An article comprised of a substrate and an electrically conductive layer located on the substrate characterized in that the electrically conductive layer is comprised of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide exhibiting a ratio of metals satisfying (Ia) or (IIa) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C:O.sub.y (Ia) Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 :O.sub.z (IIa) and the substrate exhibits a perovskite crystal structure, where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; Y is yttrium; x is 0.05 to 0.30; y is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of L, M and C satisfying the ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (b) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and z is the amount of oxygen that results from (a) heating an amorphous mixture of oxides of Y, A and C satisfying the ratio Y.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) in the form of a coating having a thickness of 1 μm or less on the substrate to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (b) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C.

Claim 13

An article according to claim 7 further characterized in that the electrically conductive layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 10° K. and the substrate is comprised of strontium titanate.

Claim 14

An article according to claim 7 further characterized in that the metal is copper.

Claim 15

An article according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, 9 and 4 further characterized in that the conductive layer is restricted to a portion of the substrate thereby defining a conduction path on the substrate.

Claim 16

An article according to claim 2, 9 or 3 further characterized in that the substrate is of an elongated configuration and the conductive layer forms a conductive sheath surrounding the substrate.

Claim 17

An article according to claim 11 further characterized in that both the substrate and the conductive layer are flexible.

Claim 18

An article according to claim 12 further characterized in that the conductive layer has a thickness of 2 μm or less.

Claim 19

An article according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 further characterized in that the substrate is monocrystalline.

Claim 20

An article according to any one of claims 1, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, or 9 further characterized in that a barrier is interposed between the substrate and the electrically conductive layer.

Claim 21

An electrically conductive article according to any one of claims 5, 6, 7, or 8 further characterized in that the conductive layer exhibits a superconducting transition temperature of at least 30° K.

Claim 22

An article according to claim 16 further characterized in that the conductive layer exhibits a superconducting transition temperature of at least 80° K. and is comprised of an R 1 A 2 C 3 crystalline phase.

Claim 23

An article according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, 9 or 4 further characterized in that the conductive layer consists of greater than 70 percent by volume of a crystalline conductive phase.

Claim 24

An article according to claim 18 further characterized in that the conductive layer consists of greater than 90 percent by volume of a crystalline conductive phase.

Claim 25

An article according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, and 4 further characterized in that greater than 45 percent by volume of the conductive layer consists essentially of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide which is in an tetragonal K 2 NiF 4 crystalline form.

Claim 26

An article according to claim 20 further characterized in that the rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide satisfies the metal ratio: L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :Cu where L is lanthanide, M is alkaline earth metal, and x is 0.05 to 0.30.

Claim 27

An article according to claim 18 further characterized in that greater than 70 percent by volume of the conductive layer consists essentially of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide which satisfies the metal ratio L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :Cu where L is lanthanide, M is alkaline earth metal, and x is 0.050 to 0.30.

Claim 28

An article according to claim 22 further characterized in that the lanthanide is lanthanum and the alkaline earth metal is barium or strontium.

Claim 29

An article according to claim 22 further characterized in that x is 0.15 to 0.20.

Claim 30

An article according to any one of claims 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 2, 3, 9 and 4 further characterized in that greater than 45 percent by volume of the conductive layer consists essentially of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide which is in an R 1 A 2 C 3 crystalline phase.

Claim 31

An article according to claim 25 further characterized in that the rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide consists of yttrium as the rare earth and barium, optionally in combination with at least one of strontium and calcium, as the alkaline earth.

Claim 32

A superconductive article comprised of a substrate and a superconductive layer located on the substrate, characterized in that the layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 10° K. and consists of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline tetragonal K 2 NiF 4 phase consisting essentially of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide satisfying (Ia): L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :Cu:O.sub.y where L is lanthanum, M is strontium, and x is 0.050 to 0.30, y is the amount of oxygen which results from (a) forming an amorphous oxide coating having a thickness of less than 1 μm by (i) preparing a solution comprised of a volatile film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the lanthanum, strontium and copper in the mole ratio (I) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) where L, M, C and x are as indicated above, (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen, (b) heating the amorphous oxide to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (c) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (d) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and the substrate consists essentially of monocrystalline strontium titanate.

Claim 33

A superconductive article comprised of a substrate and a superconductive layer located on the substrate, characterized in that the layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 10° K. and consists of greater than 45 percent by volume of a crystalline tetragonal K 2 NiF 4 phase consisting essentially of a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide satisfying (Ia): L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :Cu:O.sub.y where L is lanthanum, M is strontium, and x is 0.050 to 0.30, y is the amount of oxygen which results from (a) forming an amorphous oxide coating having a thickness of less than 1 μm by (i) preparing a solution comprised of a volatile film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the lanthanum, strontium and copper in the mole ratio (I) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) where L, M, C and x are as indicated above, (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen, (b) heating the amorphous oxide to a temperature in the range of from 925° to 975° C. to form a crystalline phase, (c) effecting crystal growth by heating in the temperature range of from 975° to 1050° C., and (d) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 550° to 450° C.; and the substrate consists essentially of monocrystalline strontium titanate.

Claim 34

A superconductive article according to claim 27 further characterized in that x is 0.15 to 0.20.

Claim 35

A superconductive article according to claim 27 further characterized in that the layer exhibiting superconductivity consists of greater than 90 percent by volume of the crystalline phase.

Claim 36

A superconductive article comprised of a substrate and a superconductive layer located on the substrate, characterized in that the layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 30° K. and consists of greater than 45 percent by volume of an R 1 A 2 C 3 crystalline phase which consists essentially of a rear earth alkaline earth copper oxide, the rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide consists of yttrium as the rare earth and barium, optionally in combination with strontium as the alkaline earth, the yttrium, alkaline earth, and copper are present in a 1:2:3 mole ratio n the R 1 A 2 C 3 phase, the amount of oxygen in the R 1 A 2 C 3 phase is that which results from (a) forming an amorphous oxide coating having a thickness of less than 1 μm by (i) preparing solution comprised of a volatile film-forming solvent and metal-carboxylate ligand compounds of the yttrium, alkaline earth and copper in the 1:2:3 mole ratio, (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen, (b) heating the amorphous oxide coating to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C., and the substrate consists of monocrystalline magnesia or strontium titanate.

Claim 37

A superconductive article comprised of a substrate and a superconductive layer located on the substrate, characterized in that the layer exhibits superconductivity at a temperature in excess of 30° K. and consists of greater than 45 percent by volume of an R 1 A 2 C 3 crystalline phase which consists essentially of a rear earth alkaline earth copper oxide, the rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide consists of yttrium as the rare earth and barium, optionally in combination with strontium as the alkaline earth, the yttrium, alkaline earth, and copper are present in a 1:2:3 mole ratio n the R 1 A 2 C 3 phase, the amount of oxygen in the R 1 A 2 C 3 phase is that which results from (a) forming an amorphous oxide coating having a thickness of less than 1 μm by (i) preparing solution comprised of a volatile film-forming solvent and metal-carboxylate ligand compounds of the yttrium, alkaline earth and copper in the 1:2:3 mole ratio, (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen, (b) heating the amorphous oxide coating to a temperature in the range of from 900° to 950° C. to form a crystalline phase and (c) cooling the coating in the presence of oxygen at a rate of less than 25° C. per minute until it reaches a temperature of from 750° to 400° C., and the substrate consists of monocrystalline magnesia or strontium titanate.

Claim 38

A superconductive article according to claim 30 further characterized in that the layer exhibiting superconductivity consists of greater than 90 percent by volume of the crystalline phase.

Claim 39

A superconductive article according to claim 30 further characterized in that the substrate consists essentially of magnesia.

Claim 40

A superconductive article according to claim 30 further characterized in that the substrate consists essentially of strontium titanate.

Claim 41

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of alumina, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 42

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of alumina, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 43

An article according to claims 34 and inclusive further characterized in that the substrate presents a planar surface and the amorphous metal oxide forms a planar layer on the planar substrate surface.

Claim 44

An article according to claim 34 and inclusive further characterized in that a removable protective layer overlies the amorphous layer.

Claim 45

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of an alkaline earth oxide, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 46

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of an alkaline earth oxide, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 47

An article according to claim 31 further characterized in that the substrate is magnesia.

Claim 48

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rear earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is exhibits a perovskite crystal structure, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 49

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rear earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is exhibits a perovskite crystal structure, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.3 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 50

An article according to claim 39 further characterized in that the substrate is comprised of strontium titanate.

Claim 51

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of glass, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 52

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of glass, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 53

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of metal, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.2 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 54

An article comprised of a substrate and a layer of an amorphous metal oxide located on the substrate characterized in that the amorphous metal oxide is a rare earth alkaline earth copper oxide capable of being converted to an electrically conductive crystalline form accounting for at least 45 percent by volume of the layer, the substrate is comprised of metal, the oxide exhibits a ratio of metals satisfying (I) or (II) L.sub.2-x :M.sub.x :C (I) R.sub.1 :A.sub.2 :C.sub.2 (II) where A is alkaline earth; C is copper; L is lanthanide; M is alkaline earth; R is rare earth; and x is 0.05 to 0.30, and the oxygen content of the amorphous oxide coating is that which results from (i) forming a solution comprised of a volatilizable film-forming solvent and metalcarboxylate ligand compounds of the metals and in the proportions of (I) or (II), (ii) coating the solution on the substrate, and (iii) removing the solvent and ligands from the substrate by heating in the presence of oxygen.

Claim 55

An article according to claim 42 further characterized in that the metal forming the substrate is comprised of copper.

Claim 56

An article according to any one of cl aims 1, 10, 14, 6 or 7, further characterized in that A is barium optionally in combination with at least one of strontium and calcium.

Claim 57

An article according to any one of cl aims 1, 10, 14, 6 or 7, further characterized in that A is barium optionally in combination with at least one of strontium and calcium.

Claim 58

An article according to any one of claims 1, 10, 14, 6 or 7, further characterized in that L is lanthanum.

Claim 59

An article according to any one of claims 1, 10, 14, 6 or 7, further characterized in that M is at least one of barium and strontium.

Claim 60

An article according to any one of claims 1, 10, 14, 6 or 7, further characterized in that A is barium optionally in combination with at least one of strontium and calcium; L is lanthanum and M is at least one of barium and strontium.