Designing Protocols for Synthesis of Superconduting LiFeAs Nanostructures through Sacrificial Template Method

Author

Prachi Sood
Manashi Nath, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The recent discovery of superconductivity in the iron pnictide based compounds like LnFeAsO (Ln = La, Ce, Sm, Gd, Dy), AFeAs (A = Li, Na) and AFe₂As₂ (A = Ba, Ca) has put them under immense scrutiny. the unconventional nature of superconductivity along with high critical field, moderately high critical temperatures and critical current density make them attractive for superconducting applications. the iron pnictide layer is believed to be responsible for charge reservoir and manifestation of superconductivity in these compounds. the cations (e.g. Li, Na, Ba, Ca etc.) or the cationic layer (Ln₂O₃) is alternately stacked between the anionic FeAs layers. We are attempting to synthesize superconducting nanostructures of these newest superconductors through the sacrificial template approach where FeAs nanostructures are used as morphology directing agents. in our research, we have developed a one-pot soft chemical method to synthesize monodisperse FeAs@C core- shell nanoparticles. Interestingly these FeAs nanoparticles showed superparamagnetism with a fairly high T_B-. Conversion of these superparamagnetic FeAs nanoparticles to superconducting nanostructures are being attempted through reductive ion intercalation, whereby, Li ions are intercalated into the FeAs nanoparticles through galvanostatic insertion. Alternatively, in situ formation of LiFeAs has also been explored by solvothermal method for formation of LiFeAs nanostructures in bulk quantities. Preliminary results regarding synthesis of LiFeAs nanostructures through these routes will be discussed along with the effect of morphology on the superconducting T_C.

Recommended Citation

P. Sood and M. Nath, "Designing Protocols for Synthesis of Superconduting LiFeAs Nanostructures through Sacrificial Template Method," Proceedings of the 245th ACS National Meeting and Exposition (2013, New Orleans, LA), American Chemical Society (ACS), Apr 2013.

Meeting Name

245th ACS National Meeting and Exposition (2013: Apr. 7-11, New Orleans, LA)

Department(s)

Chemistry

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2013 American Chemical Society (ACS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2013