Download Synthesis of Superconducting Thin Films of Magnesium Diboride by

Synthesis of Superconducting Thin Films of Magnesium Diboride by
Electroless Plating Process
Khrupa S. Vijayaragavan1, Susil K. Putatunda,1* Ambesh Dixit,2 and Gavin Lawes2
1
2
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201
Superconducting thin films of magnesium diboride were synthesized by a novel electroless plating process.
Magnesium Diboride is recently discovered superconducting materials with a high transition temperature of
(Tc = 39 K). The MgB2 thin films were synthesized on silver, gold, copper and silicon substrates. In this synthesis
sodium hypophosphite was used as a reducing agent in acidic and alkaline plating solutions. The structural,
morphological and superconducting properties of these films were examined using X-ray diffraction, temperaturedependent magnetometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and
raman spectroscopy. The magnetic study of these thin films indicates the presence of clear superconducting phase
below the critical temperature ̴ 39K as shown in Figure(1). A typical MgB2 thin film on copper is shown in Figure
(2) where as Figure (3) shows the XRD pattern of these films. The vibrational spectroscopy of these thin films
indicates the crystalline nature and right stoichiometry of MgB 2. The structural and microstructural analysis of these
thin films also indicates the polycrystalline nature of the film with presence of small amount of impurity phases of
different magnesium and boron compounds. The potential applications of these films will be in superconducting and
semiconducting devices in electronics industry. The synthesis process of these films and their superconducting
properties will be discussed.
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20
30
40
T (K)
50
60
70
Fig.1 AC Magnetic data of MgB2 on silicon (0Oe –1T)
Fig. 2 SEM image of thin on copper substrate
3
(200)
1.2x10
3
1.0x10
2
MgB2 / Cu
2
6.0x10
2
(101)
4.0x10
(220)
Intensity
8.0x10
2
2.0x10
0.0
20
40
60
2- Theta
Fig. 3 XRD pattern of thin film on copper
Magnesium Di Boride MgB2
Copper
Khrupa Vijayaragavan is a second year graduate student pursuing a Masters in Chemical
Engineering. He received his B.S in Chemical Engineering from R.V.College of
Engineering, Bangalore, India in July 2006. Khrupa’s research interests are the synthesis
and optimization of superconducting thin film by electroless plating on different substrates.