Electrochemical synthesis of Nb3Sn coatings on Cu substrates

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Materials Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2015.09.046· OSTI ID:1249625

Franz, S.; Barzi, E.; Turrioni, D.; Glionna, L.; Bestetti, M.

This study aims at contributing to the development of superconducting Nb₃Sn thin films for possible applications, as for instance in superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities. The synthesis of Nb-Sn coatings was carried out on copper substrates by electrodeposition from 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIC) ionic liquids containing SnCl₂ and NbCl₅. Cyclic voltammetric curves were recorded to identify the reduction potentials of Nb and Sn ionic species. Electrodeposition was performed at 40 and 400 mA/cm² and 130°C. The CV demonstrated that BMIC has a suitable potential window for co-deposition of Nb and Sn. The electrodeposited coatings showed a cubic Nb₃Sn phase with (211) preferred orientation, a disordered orthorhombic NbSn2 phase and Sn-Cu phases. Film thickness was from 200 to 750 nm. These results suggest that electrodeposition of Nb-Sn coatings on copper substrates could be a suitable route to one day replace the current expensive Nb SRF cavities.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 1249625
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1235054
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-15-400-TD; S0167577X15305577; PII: S0167577X15305577
• Journal Information: Materials Letters, Journal Name: Materials Letters Vol. 161 Journal Issue: C; ISSN 0167-577X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: Netherlands
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Nb3Sn
ionic liquids
1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride
niobium
tin
electrodeposition