Magnetic evidence for hot superconductivity in multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We report magnetic measurements up to 1200 K on three different multi-walled carbon nanotube mat samples using Quantum Design vibrating sample magnetometers. Three different samples prepared from arc discharge or chemical vapor deposition contain magnetic impurities ranging from about 100 ppm to about 1.5%. Our precise magnetic data clearly show two superconducting transitions, one at temperatures between 533 K and 700 K, and another at about 1200 K. The first transition temperature T_cJ, which coincides with the transition temperature seen in the resistance data, depends very strongly on the magnetic field, as expected from the onset of intergrain Josephson coupling in granular superconductors. The strong field dependence of T_cJ also excludes magnetic contaminants as the origin of the first transition. We also present direct and inferred diamagnetic Meissner fractions of 2 and 14%, respectively. The present results provide compelling evidence for superconductivity well above room temperature in multi-walled carbon nanotubes.