• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.344-349
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• 2015

$MgB_2$ bulk superconductors are synthesized by the solid state reaction of ($MgB_4$+xMg) precursors with excessive Mg compositions (x=1.0, 1.4, 2.0 and 2.4). The $MgB_4$ precursors are synthesized using (Mg+B) powders. The secondary phases ($MgB_4$ and MgO) present in the synthesized $MgB_4$ are removed by $HNO_3$ leaching. It is found that the formation reaction of $MgB_2$ is accelerated when Mg excessive compositions are used. The magnetization curves of $Mg_1+_xB_2$ samples show that the transition from the normal state to the superconducting state of the Mg excessive samples with x=0.5 and x=0.7 are sharper than that of $MgB_2$. The highest $J_c-B$ curve at 5 K and 20 K is achieved for x=0.5. Further addition of Mg decreases the $J_c$ owing to the formation of more pores in the $MgB_2$ matrix and smaller volume fraction of $MgB_2$.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2017

The effects of $MgB_4$ addition on the superconducting properties and the microstructure of in situ processed $MgB_2$ bulk superconductors were studied. $MgB_4$ powder of 1-20 wt.% was mixed with (Mg + 2B) powder and then pressed into pellets. The pellets of (Mg + 2B + $xMgB_4$) were heat-treated at $650^{\circ}C$ for 1 h in flowing argon. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for the heat-treated samples showed that the major formed phase in all samples was $MgB_2$ and the minor phases were $MgB_4$ and MgO. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) values showed that the grain size of $MgB_2$ decreased as the amount of $MgB_4$ addition increased. $MgB_4$ particles included in a $MgB_2$ matrix is considered to suppress the grain growth of $MgB_2$. The onset temperatures ($T_{c,onset}$) of $MgB_2$ with $MgB_4$ addition (0-10 wt.%) was between 37-38 K. The 20 wt.% $MgB_4$ addition slightly reduced the $T_{c,onset}$ of $MgB_2$ to 36.5 K. This result indicates that $MgB_4$ addition did not influence the superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of $MgB_2$ significantly. On the other hand, the small additions of 1-5 wt.% $MgB_4$ increased the critical current density ($J_c$) of $MgB_2$. The $J_c$ enhancement by $MgB_4$ addition is attributed not only to the grain size refinement but also to the possible flux pinning of $MgB_4$ particles dispersed in a $MgB_2$ matrix.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.20-23
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• 2020

Among many variables in processing the high performance MgB2 bulk superconductors, simple and important approach is to optimize the size dependence of the Mg & B raw powders. The present study is dedicated towards the variation in superconducting properties of MgB2 depending upon the various combination of Mg & B powders with the two different particle sizes respectively. From morphological investigation of the MgB2 samples, narrow and long pores are observed when the larger Mg powders are used, whereas it is rather like the oval shapes with the smaller Mg powders. Also, it can be seen that the connectivity of the MgB2 samples is much enhanced with the smaller size of the B powders. Jc-H properties of the MgB2 samples also indicate that the highest Jc can be obtained when using the smaller size of the B powder with the combination of the smaller Mg powders than that of the larger Mg powders. If the cases with the larger B powers, it is more favorable to select the larger Mg powders with the better Jc-H properties considering shorter diffusion length of Mg and more homogeneous mixture between the Mg & B powders.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.45-50
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• 2021

In this study, the effect of the size of B powder on the critical current density (J_c) of MgB₂ prepared by an in situ reaction process was investigated. Various combinations of B powders were made using a micron B, ball-milled B and nano B powders. Micron B powder was reduced by ball milling and the milled B powder was mixed with the micron B or nano B powder. The mixing ratios of the milled B and micron or nano B were 100:0, 50:50 and 0:100. Non-milled micron B powder was also mixed with nano powder in the same ratios. Pellets of (2B+Mg) prepared with various B mixing ratios were heat-treated to form MgB₂. T_c of MgB₂ decreased slightly when the milled B was used, whereas the J_c of MgB₂ increased with increasing amount of the milled B or the nano powder. The used of the milled B and nano B power promoted the formation MgB₂ during heat treatment. In addition to the enhanced formation of MgB₂, the use of the powders reduced the grain size of MgB₂. The use of the milled and nano B powder increased the J_c of MgB₂. The highest J_c was achieved when 100% nano B powder was used. The J_c enhancement is attributed to the high volume fraction of the superconducting phase (MgB₂) and the large grain boundaries, which induces the flux pinning at the magnetic fields.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

The effect of the size and shape of magnesium(Mg) powder on the formation of $MgB_2$ and the critical current density($J_{c,}$) of $MgB_2$ bulk was studied. As a precursor for the formation of $MgB_2$, Mg and $MgB_4$ powder, which was synthesized through the reaction of boron (B) with Mg powders, was used. $MgB_4$ was mixed with Mg powders of various sizes, pressed into pellets and heat-treated at $650^{\circ}C-750^{\circ}C$ in flowing argon gas. The XRD analysis of the heat-treated $MgB_2$ samples showed that the volume fraction of $MgB_2$ was the highest as 92.74 % when spherical Mg powder with an average size of $25.7{\mu}m$ was used, whereas the volume fraction was the lowest as 79.64 % when plate-like Mg powder with a size of $34.1{\mu}m$ was used. The superconducting transition temperature ($T_c$) of $MgB_2$ was not sensitive to the characteristics of the Mg powders used. All of the prepared $MgB_2$ samples showed a high $T_c$ of 38.3 K and a small superconducting transition width of 0.2 K-0.5 K. $J_c$ (5 K and 1 T) of $MgB_2$ was the highest as $3.93{\times}10^4A/cm^2$ when spherical Mg powder with a size of $25.7{\mu}m$ was used, whereas $J_c$ was the lowest as $2.18{\times}10^4A/cm^2$when plate-like Mg powder with a size of $34.1{\mu}m$ was used. The relationship between the $J_c$ of $MgB_2$ and the characteristics of the Mg powders used was explained in terms of the volume fraction of $MgB_2$ and the apparent density of the $MgB_2$ pellets.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.153-156
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• 2003

We have studied fabrication of $MgB_2$ thin film on $SrTiO_3$ (001) and r-cut $A1_2$$O_3$ substrates by rf magnetron sputtering method using and $ MgB_2$ single target and two targets of Mg and B, respectively. Based on P -T phase diagram of $MgB_2$ and vapor pressure curves of Mg and B, a three-step process was employed. B layer was deposited at the bottom to enhance the film adhesion to the substrate. Secondly, co-sputtering of Mg and B was done. Finally, Mg was sputtered on top to compensate fur the loss of Mg during annealing. Subsequently, $MgB_2$ films were in-situ annealed in various conditions. The sample fabricated using the three-step process showed $T_{c}$ of 24 K and formation of superconducting $MgB_2$ phase was confirmed by XRD spectra. In case of co-sputtering deposition, $T_{c}$ depended on annealing time and argon pressure. However, those made by single-target sputtering showed non-superconducting behavior or low transition temperature, at best.est.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-17
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• 2015

$MgB_2$ thin films with superior superconducting properties are very promising for superconducting magnets, electronic devices and coated conductor electric power applications. A clear understanding of flux pinning mechanism in $MgB_2$ films could be a big aid in improving the performance of $MgB_2$ by the enhancement of $J_c$. The fabrication advancement and the understanding of flux pinning mechanism of $MgB_2$ thin and thick films fabricated by using hybrid physical-chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD) are reviewed. The distinct kind of $MgB_2$ films, such as single-crystal like $MgB_2$ thin films, $MgB_2$ epitaxial columnar thick films, and a-axis-oriented $MgB_2$ films are included for flux pinning mechanism investigation. Various attempts made by researchers to improve further the flux pinning property and $J_c$ performance by means of doping in $MgB_2$ thin films by using HPCVD are also summarized.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2008

We have examined the effect of ball-milling on the superconducting properties of $MgB_2$ doped with C. The ball-milling of pre-reacted $MgB_2$ powder was carried out in dry or wet state using C or diethylenetriamine ($C_{4}H_{13}N_3$) as additives. The diethylenetriamine, whose chemical formula contains no oxygen, was chosen to avoid an excess oxidation during doping. The superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of the ball-milled or doped $MgB_2$ powders was only slightly smaller than that of undoped $MgB_2$. The critical current density (Jc) of the highly ball-milled $MgB_2$ was higher than that of C-doped $MgB_2$. The addition of diethylenetriamine was detrimental to Jc, although Tc was almost unchanged.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-58
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• 2022

Carbon-based doping to MgB₂ superconductor is the simplest approach to enhance the critical current densities under magnetic fields. Carbon quantum dots is synthesized in this work as a carbon provider to MgB₂ superconductors. Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone is pyrolyzed and dispersed in dimethylfomamide solvent as a dopant to the mixture of Mg and B powders. Doped MgB₂ bulk samples clearly show the decrease of a-axis lattice constant, grain refinements, and broadening of FWHM of diffraction peaks compared to un-doped MgB₂ possibly due to the carbon substitution and/or boron vacancy at the boron site in MgB₂ lattice. Also, high-field J_c for the doped MgB₂ is enhanced significantly with the crossover about 3 T at 5 & 20 K when increasing the doping of carbon quantum dots.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.14-18
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• 2021

The Mg-Powder-Compaction (MPC) process is proposed to fabricate the MgB₂ superconducting wires. Mg powder wall, similar to the Mg metal tube, inside the Nb outer sheath has been made and the stochiometric B powder was inserted into the wall. Even though the very high MgB₂ core density of 2.53 g/cm³ is obtained, the superconducting area fraction of MgB₂ is not high enough for the applications. In this work, an advanced MPC process was adopted by adding Mg powder into B powder. The Mg powder wall in the initial wire was fabricated by controlling the wall thickness while maintaining a constant density, and the mixture of B and Mg powder was filled into the Mg powder wall with the same filling density. It is found that the reduction in the area of the Mg powder wall proceeds similar to the wire, and the Mg powder wall is well maintained at the final wire diameter, which is advantage for the fabrication of long wires. With the advanced MPC process, as the added Mg is increased the densities of MgB₂ core is decreased and the porous structure is formed, it is found that the area fraction of superconducting MgB₂ increase up to the 37.7 % with the improved high critical current density (J_c) and the engineering critical current density (J_e).