Superconductivity and magnetism in iron sulfides intercalated by metal hydroxides. Issue 5 (20th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Xiuquan; Eckberg, Christopher; Wilfong, Brandon; Liou, Sz-Chian; Vivanco, Hector K.; Paglione, Johnpierre; Rodriguez, Efrain E.
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 8:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 3781
• Page End: 3788
• Publication Date: 2017-03-20
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6sc05268a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Formation of heterostructured [(Na1− x Fe x )(OH)2 ]FeS and enhancement of critical temperature of layered FeS by lithium hydroxide intercalation. Abstract : Inspired by naturally occurring sulfide minerals, we present a new family of iron-based superconductors. A metastable form of FeS known as the mineral mackinawite forms two-dimensional sheets that can be readily intercalated by various cationic guest species. Under hydrothermal conditions using alkali metal hydroxides, we prepare three different cation and metal hydroxide-intercalated FeS phases including (Li1− x Fe x OH)FeS, [(Na1− x Fe x )(OH)2 ]FeS, and K x Fe2− y S2 . Upon successful intercalation of the FeS layer, the superconducting critical temperature T c of mackinawite is enhanced from 5 K to 8 K for the (Li1− x Fe x OH) δ + intercalate. Layered heterostructures of [(Na1− x Fe x )(OH)2 ]FeS resemble the natural mineral tochilinite, which contains an iron square lattice interleaved with a hexagonal hydroxide lattice. Whilst heterostructured [(Na1− x Fe x )(OH)2 ]FeS displays long-range magnetic ordering near 15 K, K x Fe2− y S2 displays short range antiferromagnetism.