The Preparation of a Challenging Superconductor Nb3Al by Exploiting Nano Effect

Autor: Chengkai Luan, Xiyue Cheng, Xiuping Gao, Jürgen Köhler, Shuiquan Deng
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Molecules, Vol 28, Iss 18, p 6455 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1420-3049
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186455
Popis: The Nb3Al superconductor with excellent physical and working properties is one of the most promising materials in high-magnetic-field applications. However, it is difficult to prepare high-quality Nb3Al with a desired superconducting transition temperature (Tc) because of its narrow phase formation area at high temperatures (>1940 °C). This work reports a method to prepare stoichiometric Nb3Al powder samples at a relatively low temperature (1400 °C) by exploiting the nano effect of Nb particles with pretreatment of Nb powder under H2/Ar atmosphere. The obtained Nb3Al samples exhibit high Tc’s of ~16.8K. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and statistical mechanics analysis, the crucial role of quantum effect in leading to the success of the preparation method was studied. A new measure of surface energy (MSE) of a model particle is introduced to study its size and face dependence. A rapid convergence of the MSE with respect to the size indicates a quick approach to the solid limit, while the face dependence of MSE reveals a liquid-like behavior. The surface effect and quantum fluctuation of the Nbn clusters explain the success of the preparation method.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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