On a Crystal Chemical Vision on Niobium-Based Superconducting Intermetallics: A Brief Overview

The present report focuses on the close interplay between condensed matter physics and solid-state chemistry in Nb-based binary intermetallic compounds. Over the recent four decades, these materials have been widely used in the development of a number of superconducting applications and various superconducting devices, including non-standard engineering solutions in the design of large magnets. However, since the 1980s, when it became apparent that the mechanical and superior superconducting properties of ordered intermetallic alloys such as Nb3Sn were largely due to their unique structural features, much of the research interest in the science of superconducting intermetallic alloys has been redirected to the development of necessary engineering applications in high magnetic field technology. Accordingly, the important role of crystal chemistry in understanding the fundamental aspects of the material properties of the Nb3Sn family of intermetallics has not been extensively explored. In this paper, we try to fill this gap by investigating the relationships between composition, microstructure and properties, highlighting their relevance to technological applications. Our goal is to combine aspects of crystal chemistry with physical and material application issues. We shed light on the atomic assembly mechanisms and processes in terms of changes in the chemical environment, lattice structure, crystallization pathway, and macroscale phase textures, which can help in interpreting and explaining the prospects and limitations of the superconducting properties of Nb3Sn. In the context of past and present prospects and limitations, we briefly overview most important technological applications and discuss the various inter-relations between superconductivity and structural properties of Nb-based A-15 intermetallic alloys. We argue that these inter-relations can be used to find Nb-based superconductors with more superior properties and stronger technological usability.