The effect of degree of amorphousness on electronic transport behaviors in the Ni–Nb–Zr–H glassy alloys with subnanometer-sized clusters

Material and electronic properties of Ni–Nb–Zr–H glassy alloys were investigated as a function of the rotating wheel speed in the amorphous ribbon-preparation method. Increase in density and amorphous colony size indicates that the degree of amorphousness increases with increase in the rotating speed. Supercooling, which reached by rotating wheel speed of 10,000 rpm (104.7-m/s), of the molten alloy produces a ballistic conductor with electrical conductivity of about 0.1 nΩ cm (× 10− 9 Ω cm, 0.01% of silver (1.62 μΩ cm)) for (Ni0.36Nb0.24Zr0.40)94.6 H5.4 glassy alloy and a room-temperature discrete Coulomb oscillation for (Ni0.36Nb0.24Zr0.40)91.6H8.4 glassy alloy. The increase in degree of amorphousness by supercooling induces uniformity of cluster morphology.

► Ni–Nb–Zr–H glassy alloys showing electronic transport behaviors.
► Density and amorphous colony size increase the degree of amorphousness accompanied with increase in the rotating speed.
► Supercooling of the molten alloy produces a superior ballistic conductor and a room-temperature discrete Coulomb oscillation.
► The increase in degree of amorphousness by supercooling induces uniformity of cluster morphology.