Low-Temperature Synthesis of Superconducting NanocrystallineMgB2

Abstract

Magnesium diboride (MgB2) is considered a promising material for practical application in superconducting devices, with a transition temperature near 40 K. In the present paper, nanocrystalline MgB2with an average particle size of approximately 70 nm is synthesized by reacting LiBH4with MgH2at temperatures as low as 450°C. This synthesis approach successfully bypasses the usage of either elemental boron or toxic diborane gas. The superconductivity of the nanostructures is confirmed by magnetization measurements, showing a superconducting critical temperature of 38.7 K.