A novel process to produce amorphous nano-sized B useful for MgB2 phase synthesis

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new synthesis process for amorphous nano-sized boron powders aimed at enhancing MgB2 superconductor performance, with detailed characterization and preliminary superconducting property results.

Contribution

A novel synthesis route for amorphous nano-sized boron powders that improves MgB2 superconductor manufacturing and performance.

Findings

Nano-sized amorphous boron produced with improved properties

Enhanced critical temperature (TC) in MgB2 tapes using new boron

Higher critical current density (JC) compared to commercial boron

Abstract

In this paper we report a new synthesis route to produce boron powders characterized as being amorphous and having very fine particle size. This route has been developed to improve the performances of superconducting MgB2 powders, which can be directly synthesized from this nano-structured boron precursor by following the ex-situ or the in-situ P.I.T. method during the manufacturing of tapes, wires and cables. All the procedure steps are explained and the chemical-physical characterization of the boron powder, using x-ray diffraction (Xrd), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, is reported. Furthermore, a comparison with commercial boron is given. Preliminary results of the magnetic and electrical characterization, such as the critical temperature (TC) and the transport critical current density (JC t), for the MgB2 tape are reported and compared with the tape prepared with commercial boron.