Preparation of Carbon Nanotube Encapsulated Copper Nanowires and Their Use as a Reinforcement for Y−Ba−Cu−O Superconductors

• Published in: Chemistry of materials 2003-03, Vol.15 (6), p.1353-1357
• Main Authors: Hwang, Gan Lin, Hwang, Kuo Chu, Shieh, Yeong-Tarng, Lin, Su-Jien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cuprates superconductors (high tc and insulating parent compounds); Exact sciences and technology; High-Tc compounds; Materials science; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Physics; Superconductivity; Y-based cuprates
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm020747j

Copper nanowires with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) encapsulated inside were prepared via surface modification of MWNTs followed by chemical deposition of copper on surfaces. These MWNTs-encapsulated copper nanowires were investigated as a reinforcement to improve the mechanical strength of the Y−Ba−Cu−O superconductor. TEM and SEM reveal that MWNTs are uniformly coated by copper and the diameters of the prepared MWNTs-encapsulated Cu nanowires range from 50 to 150 nm and the lengths are up to several micrometers. These MWNTs-containing Cu nanowires could effectively improve the hardness of the Y−Ba−Cu−O without sacrificing its superconductivity. The Vicker's hardness of the Y−Ba−Cu−O is reinforced by ∼20% after 5 wt % of MWNTs incorporation. This study presents the first result that demonstrates the feasibility of the reinforcement of brittle YBaCuO superconductor by using MWNTs.