Structure and superconductivity of Mg(B <sub> 1- <i>x</i> </sub> C <sub> <i>x</i> </sub> ) <sub>2</sub> compounds

Shao-ying Zhang, Shen Bao-Gen, Cheng Zhao-Hua

Chinese Physics · 2001 · 11 citations · 0 references

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Abstract

In this paper, we reported the structural properties and superconductivity of Mg(B1-xCx)2 compounds. Powder x-ray diffraction results indicate that the samples crystallize in a hexagonal AlB2-type structure. Due to the chemical activity of Mg powders, a small amount of MgO impurity phase was detected by x-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters decrease slightly with increasing carbon content. Magnetization measurements indicate the non-stoichiometry of MgB2 has no influence on the superconducting transition temperature and the transition temperature width. The addition of carbon results in a decrease of Tc and an increase in the superconducting transition width, implying the loss of superconductivity.