Improved Critical Current Density and Magnetic Properties of Pr6O11-doped MgB2 Bulks Synthesized by Mg-diffusion Method

Abstract

The effects of the addition of Pr₆O₁₁ nanopowder on the critical current density (J_c), irreversible field (H_irr) and upper critical field (H_c2) of the MgB₂ bulks prepared by a Mg-diffusion method were investigated. The results show that the Pr₆O₁₁ nanopowder doping can significantly enhance the J_c, H_irr and H_c2 of the MgB₂ bulks, but has little effect on the superconducting transition temperature (T_c). At 20 K in a self-field, the J_c value of the 1 wt% Pr₆O₁₁-doped MgB₂ sample is 3.61×10⁵ A/cm², which is nearly 5 times larger than that of the undoped sample. In addition, at 10 K, the H_c2 and H_irr of the bulk increase by 1.9 and 2.6 T, respectively. The effect of Pr₆O₁₁-doping on superconductivity and flux pinning mechanism was also discussed.