Investigation on the reported superconductivity in intercalated black phosphorus. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Hanming; Deng, Liangzi; Lv, Bing; Wu, Zheng; Yang, Ze; Li, Sheng; Huyan, Shuyuan; Ni, Yizhou; Sun, Jingying; Tian, Fei; Wang, Dezhi; Wang, Hui; Chen, Shuo; Ren, Zhifeng; Chu, Ching-Wu
• Is Part Of: Materials today physics. Volume 4(2017)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Intercalation -- Black phosphorus -- Superconductivity -- Tin (Sn) -- Vapor transport synthesis -- High pressure synthesis; Materials science -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2018.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2542-5293

Abstract

Abstract: Superconductivity intrinsic to the intercalated black phosphorus (BP) with a transition temperature Tc of 3.8 K, independent of the intercalant, whether an alkali or an alkaline earth element, has been reported recently by R. Zhang et al. (2017). However, the reported Tc and the field effect on the superconducting (SC) transition both bear great similarities to those for the pure Sn, which is commonly used for BP synthesis under the vapor transport method. We have therefore decided to determine whether a minute amount of Sn is present in the starting high purity BP crystals and whether it is the culprit for the small SC signal detected. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results confirmed the existence of Sn in the starting high purity BP crystals purchased from the same company as in R. Zhang et al. (2017). We have reproduced the SC transition at 3.8 K in Li- and Na-intercalated BP crystals that contain minute amounts of Sn when prepared by the vapor transport method but not in BP crystals that are free of Sn when prepared by the high-pressure method. We have therefore concluded that the SC transition reported by R. Zhang et al. (2017) is associated with the Sn but not intrinsic to the intercalated BP crystals. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Reported superconductivity intrinsic to intercalated black phosphorus is examined. The presence and role of Sn in different black phosphorus sources is determined. The reported superconductivity is associated with Sn. The reported superconductivity is not intrinsic to intercalated black phosphorus.