Multiwalled carbon nanotube-derived superior electrical, mechanical and thermal properties in MgB2 wires

We investigated the effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as an additive on the critical current density, critical temperature, microstructure and thermal conductivity of MgB2 wires. These effects led to significantly enhanced electrical, mechanical and thermal properties in the MgB2 wire. Moreover, the MWCNTs were obviously intact and clearly visible, even after being subjected to a high sintering temperature, resulting in an improved adhesion property in the MgB2 superconducting core. Crown Copyright (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc. All rights reserved.