Evaluation of isotopic boron (¹¹B) for the fabrication of low activation Mg¹¹B₂ superconductor for next generation fusion magnets

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the properties of boron isotope (11B)‐rich powders from three different sources, that is, American, Cambridge, and Pavezyum, to fabricate the bulk Mg11B2 superconductors and evaluate their superconducting properties. While 11B‐rich powder is an essential precursor to fabricate Mg11B2 superconductors for fusion magnet applications, the properties of the 11B powder turned out to be critical to determine the quality of the final superconducting product. Therefore, appropriate control of processing conditions is needed to comply with the requirements of the nuclear fusion application. Analysis of the B isotope ratio by accelerator mass spectroscopy and neutron transmission revealed that all three types of powder are enriched with 11B to better than 99 at % quality. In addition, Pavezyum's 11B shows the lowest crystallinity and smallest crystalline domain size as evidenced by the high‐resolution X‐ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical states of the boron isotope investigated with near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy also reveals that Pavezyum boron has amorphous structure. Mg11B2 bulks and multi‐filamentary (12‐filament) wires have been manufactured, sintered at different temperatures and characterized via the transport critical current density. The wire with Pavezyum 11B shows three times higher current carrying capacity at a particular magnetic field compared to the wire using Cambridge 11B and hence, Pavezyum 11B boron has the potential for manufacturing fusion grade Mg11B2 based magnets. The results of this study demonstrated that Boron powders with higher purity, smaller grain size and lower crystallinity are critical for improving the superconducting and electronic properties of Mg11B2 samples fabricated from the powder. Thus, the low‐neutron‐activation Mg11B2 is possibly an affordable and technically viable candidate to replace NbTi superconductors in the low field poloidal field and correction coils for the next‐generation fusion reactors.

Systematic compositional analysis of sputter-deposited boron-containing thin films

“…2,3 This isotope is also utilized in boron neutron capture therapy for cancer treatment. [4][5][6] The 11 B isotope is, however, stable to neutron irradiation and can reduce nuclear heating, which makes it a good candidate for Mg 11 B2 superconductors 7 and engineering the interfaces of multilayer supermirrors. 8,9 B is also an essential element in biology for the growth and maintenance of bones, 10 improving wound healing, 11 growing higher plants, 12,13 boosting magnesium absorption, 14,15 reducing the level of inflammatory biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor, 12,16 raising the level of antioxidant enzymes, 17 increasing the brain electrical activity, cognitive performance, and short-term memory for elders, 18 and influencing on the formation and activity of key biomolecules.…”

Process Intensification of Chemical Exchange Method for Boron Isotope Separation Using Micro-Channel Distillation Technology

“…Due to their diverse nuclear properties, 10-and 11-boron isotopes are widely used in a variety of science and technology fields [1,2]. Methods for separating boron isotopes mainly include chemical exchange distillation [2,3], ion exchange resin [4][5][6], and laserassisted retardation [7,8].…”

“…Due to their diverse nuclear properties, 10-and 11-boron isotopes are widely used in a variety of science and technology fields [1,2]. Methods for separating boron isotopes mainly include chemical exchange distillation [2,3], ion exchange resin [4][5][6], and laserassisted retardation [7,8]. The chemical exchange distillation method with anisole as the donor has a high separation efficiency and can separate boron isotopes under normal temperatures and pressures, which makes it suitable for industrialization [9].…”

“…Pressure data were obtained by measuring the pressure of the complexation unit. The fluctuation range of the pressure was within 0.2 kPa 2. Samples of phenol content in anisole were collected from sample outlet 3 and determined after continuous operation for 60 h.…”