Iranian researchers from Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Research Center of Kashan University produced high-temperature superconductive nanords.
In this research, a cheap and simple method was used in order to obtain a high-quality product.
Low critical temperature of superconductors is the most important problem in these materials. Therefore, the aim of the research was to develop a method that can produce superconductive nanoparticles without significant decrease in the critical temperature as well as being able to be used in industries at a low cost.
The cheap, simple and well-known sol-gel method was used in this research. As a result, the produced nanorods have critical temperature near the critical temperature of the material itself at bulk form, which is considered a big advantage for the product. Observations showed that the nanorods have homogenous shape. The shape and size of nanorods can be controlled by controlling the amount of surfactant.
Mahboubeh Kargar, one of the researchers, explained the procedure of the research, and said, “Sol-gel method was used in this research. Nitrates of the raw materials and benzene tricarboxylic acid were used as surfactant for the first time and propylene glycol as the solvent. After the formation of gel, spontaneous combustion occurred due to increasing the heat and the materials were converted into powder. The desired structure was obtained after milling and heating.”
The use of superconductive cables and wires with high critical temperature, specially REBa2Cu3O7-x acidic group significantly saves energy and the cost in comparison with usual wires. Moreover, superconductors have many applications as strong and permanent magnets.