Synthesis, transformation and superconductivity of dual phase In-Sn alloy nanoparticles embedded in an Al matrix

Abstract

We report the synthesis of nanoembedded biphasic alloy particles of In-Sn near eutectic alloy compositions embedded in an aluminium matrix by rapid solidification processing. Detailed transmission electron microscopy indicates that the two phases present at room temperature in as-synthesized samples are β and γ phases with tetragonal and hexagonal crystal structures, respectively. These co-exist with a small amount of single phase In or Sn particles with sizes less than 10 nm. Low temperature magnetization measurements indicate a superconducting transition temperature of 5 K, suggesting complete decomposition of the β-phase at small sizes and at low temperature. The small particles show type II behavior with a critical field Hc₁≈ 44 G and two values for Hc₂ of 250 and 1000 G, respectively. These values are considerably lower than those observed in bulk In-Sn alloys.