Electrochemical synthesis of superconducting MgB2 thin films: a novel potential technique

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel electrochemical method for synthesizing MgB2 superconducting thin films using complexing molecules, achieving superconductivity at 36.4 K with lower energy input and potential for large-scale production.

Contribution

It presents the first development of a complexing molecule electrodeposition technique for MgB2 films, optimizing parameters for uniform, superconducting films from aqueous and non-aqueous baths.

Findings

Superconducting transition temperature at 36.4 K.

Films deposited from non-aqueous bath are uniform and superconducting.

Method requires less energy than existing techniques.

Abstract

A complexing molecule electrodeposition technique has been developed for the deposition of low cost, lightweight MgB2 films, for the first time. Different deposition parameters such as bath composition, deposition potential, current density, deposition time were studied and optimized to give uniform, homogeneous and sticky films. The MgB2 films were deposited at a constant potential of -1.3 V with respect to Saturated Calomel Electrode (SCE) onto silver substrate from aqueous bath and at -3.2 V with respect to SCE electrode onto silver substrate from non-aqueous bath. XRD, SEM and EDAX techniques are used to characterize these films. The films formed from non-aqueous electrochemical bath show the superconducting transition temperature at Tc = 36.4 K. The method developed is of less energy inputs than any other existing methods and of versatile nature having potential for large scale applications of MgB2 superconductors. PACS numbers: 74.70.Ad, 81.15.Pq, 74.76.-w *Author for correspondence