Production by solid/liquid reaction and characterization of high purity MgB2 powders and thick films for superconducting application

The preparation of highly pure MgB2 powder is here presented. The two steps preparation method, together with an ad hoc projected reactor, permits us to obtain the desired stoichiometric phase without MgO impurities and other degradation compounds, which depress the superconductive properties. The formation of a liquid phase during the first step of the preparation leads to small grain size particles. New techniques of film preparation (Electrophoretic deposition) have also been approached. By this method thick films suitable for practical applications have been obtained in a very simple and reproducible way at room temperature. Electrophoretic deposition has been carried out with success on low cost substrates. The deposited thick films looks to be very homogeneous, with the same crystal structure of the starting materials and without impurities and can be easily syntherised.