The influence of nanoscale phase separation and devitrification on the electrical transport properties of amorphous Cu-Nb alloy thin films

Superfluid density from magnetic penetration depth measurements in Nb-Cu 3D nano-composite films

Superconductivity in 3D Nb–Cu nanocomposite granular films have been studied with varying thickness for two different compositions, Nb rich with 88 at% of Nb and Cu rich with 46 at% of Nb. For both compositions, the superconducting transition temperature (T_c) decreases with decreasing film thickness. For any thickness, doubling the Cu content in the films decreases the T_c by about 2 K. To explore if phase fluctuations play any role in superconductivity in these 3D films, the superfluid stiffness (J_S) of the films was measured using low frequency two-coil mutual inductance (M) technique. Interestingly, the measurement of M in magnetic fields showed two peaks in the imaginary component of M for both Nb rich and Cu rich films. The two peaks were associated with the pair-breaking effect of the magnetic field on the intra and inter-granular coupling in these films consisting of random network of superconductor (S) and normal metal (N) nano-particles. Furthermore, J_S was seen to decrease with decreasing film thickness and increasing Cu content. However, for all films studied J_S remained higher than the superconducting energy gap (∆) indicating that phase fluctuations do not play any role in superconductivity in the film thickness and composition range investigated. Our results indicate that an interplay of quantum size effects (QSE) and superconducting proximity effect (SPE) controls the T_c with composition in these 3D nano-composite films.

Controlling the dissolution of iron through the development of nanostructured Fe-Mg for biomedical applications

In the field of biodegradable metallic materials, rapid and non-uniform biodegradation, caused by uncontrolled corrosion rates, is a potential shortcoming. Among the prominent biodegradable materials, magnesium is an attractive choice, however, it is prone to rapid dissolution. In contrast, iron possesses a slow dissolution rate. To approach the middle ground, instead of making magnesium more corrosion-resistant, the less-explored approach of making iron less corrosion-resistant is employed here. In this study, iron, and magnesium, having contrasting corrosion rates, are combined via magnetron co-sputtering. The idea of combinatorial synthesis is employed to fabricate two model nanostructured Fe-Mg samples, i.e. CSFM-1 (Fe₈₅Mg₁₅), and CSFM-2 (Fe₆₅Mg₃₅), exhibiting a controlled and uniform degradation in phosphate-buffer saline solution. The structural characterization of the two samples demonstrates a substitutional solid solution of bcc-Fe-Mg in CSFM-1 and an amorphous short-range-ordered structure in the CSFM-2 sample. Electrochemical investigation shows increased corrosion rates for the two Fe-Mg samples in comparison to pure Fe, validated by relatively active corrosion potentials, higher corrosion current densities, faster anodic dissolution, and lower charge transfer resistances, governed by chemical composition and non-equilibrium nanostructures. Finally, nano-indentation testing of the two samples reveals relatively higher hardness and lower elastic moduli, a suitable combination for bio-implants. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The use of Mg as a biodegradable in-vivo  implant material is problematic because of its high dissolution rate and potential for hydrogen gas generation. This is the first time that the idea of combinatorial synthesis is employed to fabricate two model nanostructured Fe-Mg systems, i.e. CSFM-1 (Fe₈₅Mg₁₅), and CSFM-2 (Fe₆₅Mg₃₅), exhibiting a controlled and uniform degradation. The structural characterization of the two systems demonstrates a substitutional solid solution of bcc-Fe-Mg in CSFM-1 and an amorphous short-range-ordered structure in the CSFM-2 system. Electrochemical investigation shows increased biodegradation rates for the two Fe-Mg systems in comparison to pure Fe, validated by relatively active corrosion potentials, higher corrosion current densities, faster anodic dissolution, and lower charge transfer resistances, governed by chemical composition and non-equilibrium nanostructures.