Superconductivity up to 32 K in a new family of the Hg-containing (Pb, Hg) (Sr, La)2CuO5-δ (1201) system

R. S. Liu*, D. S. Shy, S. F. Hu, D. A. Jefferson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new family of superconductors with a maximum Tc of 32 K were observed in the Hg-containing (Pb0.5Hg0.5) (Sr2-xLax) CuO5-gd (1201) system for the composition range 0.8 ≤x≤ 1.0. The chemical composition and crystal structure of this system have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction including the Rietveld refinement, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. We have identified the phase responsible for the superconductivity to be similar to (Pb, Cu) (Sr, La)2CuO5 or (Ti, Pb) (Sr, La)2CuO5 (the so-called 1201 phase) with a space group of P4/mmm and lattice constants of a=3.7908(2) A ̊ and c=8.6915 (6) A ̊ for the x=0.8 sample in (Pb0.5Hg0.5 (Sr2-xLax)CuO5-δ. The disordering of the hole reservoir layer of (Pb, Hg)O due to the displacement of the oxygen ion from its ideal position (0.5, 0.5, 0) to (0.33, 0.5, 0) was found by Rietveld refinement for powder X-ray diffraction data of the x=0.8 sample. This displacement may give rise to the appearance of the superlattice spots along the [102]* direction with a modulation factor close to 4 in the electron diffraction pattern viewed down [010].

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)237-242
Number of pages6
JournalPhysica C: Superconductivity and its applications
Volume216
Issue number3-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993 Nov 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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