Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
The structural evolution of YBa2Cu3O6+x precursor sol was investigated using 13C NMR and quasielastic light scattering. A polydisperse colloidal suspension of yttrium, barium and copper alkoxides was characterized as hydrolysis and complexation reactions occurred. Light scattering data showed that the average particle size of a copper(II) alkoxide suspension decreased by a factor of 5 (1100 nm to 220nm) with the addition of the yttrium and barium alkoxides over a period of 24 hours. The acquired particle size data correlated well with 13C NMR spectra, which showed initial peak broadening and the copper complexing to the yttrium and barium as a function of hydrolysis time.