Superconducting evidence of a processed Nb2GeC compound under a microwave heating

Abstract

Based on previous theoretical investigations involving a possible superconductivity of a Nb2GeC compound, this study is focused on the characterization of a potential superconductivity behavior of a Nb2GeC phase. A microwave heating is used and the specimens at 1200 °C for 48 h and 300 h are heat-treated. The experimental results of the XRD patterns corroborate to show that of about 94 wt.% Nb2GeC phase during 48 h is attained. The sample treated during 300 h has their % weight decreased. The M(T) measurements show the diamagnetism behavior for all examined samples. The volume of superconductivity is increased with the heat treatment time, while the content of Nb2GeC phase is decreased. The magnetization as a function of the applied magnetic field evidences a conventional type-II superconductivity. The electrical resistance and the magnetoresistance as a function of the temperature curve induce to a typical superconductor behavior at 10 K. The specific heat measurement unambiguously displays the jump close to 10 K. The results demonstrate that the superconductivity phenomena are observed and it can be characterized as a BCS superconductor. Based on the superconductivity properties obtained in this investigation and compared with NbC and Nb5Ge3C0.3 compounds, it seems that the Nb2GeC provides a superconducting behavior. It is worth noting that the results are not systematically conclusive, but the superconductivity in a Nb2GeC compound is induced.