The effect of deposition time on textured magnesium diboride thick films fabricated by electrophoretic deposition

Abstract

MgB₂ powders suspended in ethanol were electrophoretically deposited on high purity molybdenum substrates by applying a current density of ~0.02 mA/cm² and voltage of 600 V. The effect of deposition time was studied by varying it as follows: 15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, and 2 min. MgB₂ thick films were successfully fabricated for the deposition carried out for 2 minutes. Deposition times less than 2 minutes resulted in insufficient deposited powder hence formation of MgB2 was not facilitated. Films deposited at 15, and 30 secs had good surface characteristics, wherein no micro cracks were present. X-ray diffraction and surface image analysis reveal that the deposited films have a preferred orientation along the (10l) direction.