Improved transport properties of MgB2 superconducting round wires via minute addition of gold nanoparticles

Abstract This study investigates the effect of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of Fe/MgB 2 wires 1.00  mm in diameter. Au-NPs were obtained by pulsed laser ablation of gold in acetone and mixed with Mg+ 2B powder mixture for in-situ powder-in-tube wire making process. Resulting drawn wires were subjected to inert atmosphere heat treatments at different temperatures. Transport measurements were performed on 1.00  mm round wires samples in a closed cycle cryostat under magnetic fields perpendicular to wire axis.