Electrochemical Synthesis of Superconductive Boride MgB2 from Molten Salts

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the electrochemical synthesis of superconductive MgB2 from molten salts at 600°C, identifying the voltage threshold and analyzing the product's composition.

Contribution

It introduces a novel electrochemical method for synthesizing MgB2 from molten salts, with characterization of the superconductive phase.

Findings

MgB2 deposit contains a few tens molar percent of MgB2

Threshold cathode voltage for MgB2 formation is -1.6 V

Superconductive MgB2 can be synthesized electrochemically from molten salts

Abstract

Electrolysis has been performed on a fused mixture of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium borate at 600 oC under an Ar atmosphere using a graphite anode and a Pt cathode. Magnetic measurements and X-ray diffractometry have revealed that the resultant deposit on the cathode contains a few tens molar percent of MgB2. A voltanmetric measurement at the initial stage of electrolysis has shown that the threshold cathode voltage for the formation of MgB2 from the molten salts is -1.6 V.