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Formation of MgO whiskers on the surface of bulk MgB2 superconductors during in situ sintering

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Abstract

Magnesium oxide (MgO) whiskers (with diameters of about 60–80 nm) formed on the surface of bulk polycrystalline MgB2 superconductor at a relative low temperature (720 °C) during in situ sintering process. The reaction between Mg and B powders begins at a temperature below melting point of Mg and maintains till about 750 °C. The residual Mg powders evaporate and react with trace oxygen to form MgO vapor as the temperature exceeds the melting temperature of Mg and a low supersaturation is required for the growth of MgO whiskers. The preformed MgB2 and MgO crystals act as substrates and the melted Mg powders on the surface of them serve as catalysts during the growth process of MgO whiskers. The growth process of MgO whiskers is dominated by a self-catalytic vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the National Nature Science Foundation of China (granted No. 50401003), the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City (granted No. 07JCZDJC01200), the Keygrant Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (granted No. 707012) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University for financial support.

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  1. College of Materials Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, People’s Republic of China

    Qingzhi Shi, Yongchang Liu, Zhiming Gao & Qian Zhao

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  1. Qingzhi Shi
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  2. Yongchang Liu
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Correspondence to Qingzhi Shi.

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Shi, Q., Liu, Y., Gao, Z. et al. Formation of MgO whiskers on the surface of bulk MgB2 superconductors during in situ sintering. J Mater Sci 43, 1438–1443 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2306-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-007-2306-2

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