Nanocoating of particles for optimal doping and universal enhancement of current-carrying ability in ''organic''MgB{sub 2-x}C{sub x} superconductors

Journal Article · Sat May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3366610· OSTI ID:21476222

Shcherbakova, O V; Pan, A V; Dou, S X; Nigam, R ^[1]; Wexler, D ^[2]

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1. Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522 (Australia)
2. School of Materials, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522 (Australia)

The universal approach of liquid mixing has been found to produce 'organic' MgB{sub 2-x}C{sub x} superconductors with structural and supercurrent-carrying properties unattainable by other techniques. We show by transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy that these unique properties are enabled through coating of boron particles with a nanolayer of carbon. The subsequent reaction between carbon-encapsulated boron and magnesium results in enhanced carbon content x in the crystal lattice, as determined by x-ray diffraction pattern analysis. Among various carbon-containing compounds investigated, polycarbosilane has been found to be the optimal dopant for MgB{sub 2} superconductor, producing the largest critical current density due to the formation of wide range of nanodefects with pinning properties within the MgB{sub 2} crystal lattice, as well as due to minimal formation of current-blocking layers around the grains.

• OSTI ID: 21476222
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 107, Issue 9; Conference: 11. joint MMM-Intermag conference, Washington, DC (United States), 18-22 Jan 2010; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3366610; (c) 2010 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
BORON
CARBON
COATINGS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CRITICAL CURRENT
CRYSTAL LATTICES
DEPLETION LAYER
MAGNESIUM
MAGNESIUM BORIDES
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SUPERCONDUCTORS
PARTICLES
SPECTROSCOPY
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BORIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
COHERENT SCATTERING
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CURRENTS
DIFFRACTION
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
LAYERS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
METALS
MICROSCOPY
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERS
SCATTERING
SEMIMETALS
SUPERCONDUCTORS