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Intercalant-independent transition temperature in superconducting black phosphorus
R Zhang1, J Waters2, A K Geim1
1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
Nature Communications
|April 13, 2017
Summary
Intercalating black phosphorus with alkali and alkali-earth metals induces superconductivity. This universal superconductivity in doped phosphorene layers occurs at a consistent critical temperature, independent of the specific intercalated metal.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Black phosphorus (BP) shows promise due to high carrier mobility and tunable bandgap.
- BP exhibits superconductivity only under high pressure (>10 GPa) via structural transformation.
- Superconductivity in ambient-pressure BP's native orthorhombic form has not been achieved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate superconductivity in black phosphorus via intercalation with various metals.
- To determine if intercalation can induce superconductivity in black phosphorus at ambient pressure.
- To characterize the superconducting properties of intercalated black phosphorus compounds.
Main Methods:
- Intercalation of black phosphorus with alkali metals (Li, K, Rb, Cs) and Ca.
- Measurement of critical temperature (Tc) and superconducting state characteristics.
- Analysis of the role of intercalated metal atoms and phosphorene layers.
Main Results:
- All intercalated compounds (BP with Li, K, Rb, Cs, Ca) exhibited superconductivity.
- Superconducting critical temperature was consistently measured at 3.8±0.1 K for all samples.
- Superconducting state characteristics were nearly identical across different intercalated compounds.
Conclusions:
- Intercalation of black phosphorus with metals induces universal superconductivity.
- The critical temperature is independent of the specific intercalated metal's chemical composition.
- Superconductivity is attributed to heavily doped phosphorene layers acting as charge reservoirs.
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