A Simple Sol-Gel Synthesis of Superconducting MgB₂ Nanowires

Author

Manashi Nath, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
B. A. Parkinson

Abstract

Bulk quantities of superconducting MgB₂ nanowires were successfully synthesized from magnesium halides and sodium borohydride precursors. This was done through a simple method utilizing room temperature sol-gel chemistry and pyrolysis under a diborane-N₂ atmosphere. A precursor gel was obtained by mixing the magnesium bromide and sodium borohydride reagents in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the black product showed the presence of the MgB₂ phase. The report obtained during scanning electron microscopy revealed that the product was predominantly nanowires. TEM images showed that the nanowires were solid, straight, and uniform in diameter along the length. The successful bulk preparation of MgB₂ nanowires by simple sol-gel assisted methods made it possible to extrude and pyrolyze the gel in a continuous process to produce superconducting nanowire cables.

Recommended Citation

M. Nath and B. A. Parkinson, "A Simple Sol-Gel Synthesis of Superconducting MgB₂ Nanowires," Advanced Materials, vol. 18, no. 14, pp. 1865 - 1868, Wiley-VCH Verlag, Jul 2006.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200600122

Department(s)

Chemistry

Keywords and Phrases

Magnesium Compounds; Mixing; Nanostructured Materials; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Sol-Gels; Synthesis (chemical); X Ray Diffraction Analysis; Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB); Nanowires; Sol-Gel Chemistry; Sol-Gel Synthesis; materials

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0935-9648

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jul 2006