A modified degreasing-oxidization process was devised and settled to treat the surface of nickel (Ni) substrates, and BSCCO films were prepared on the treated NiO/Ni substrates by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy were adopted to clarify the function of different treatment on phase formation and wettability of NiO/Ni substrates. Differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry analysis were adopted to confirm the desirable heat treatment process. XRD and scanning electron microscopy were adopted to investigate the phase constituent and surface morphology of BSCCO films. Results demonstrate that both the surface wettability of the substrate to sol and the lattice matching between the substrate and BSCCO can be improved through the modified treatment, which are favorable for the preparation of BSCCO films. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.