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Title: Superconducting and structural properties of {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681} cubic molybdenum carbide phase

Journal Article · · Journal of Solid State Chemistry
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  1. Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810 (Japan)
  2. Superconducting Properties Unit, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 (Japan)
  3. International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 (Japan)
  4. Synchrotron X-ray Station at SPring-8, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Hyogo 679-5148 (Japan)
  5. Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China)

The superconducting and lattice properties of {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681} were studied by electromagnetic measurements, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and electron diffraction. The superconducting properties (T{sub c}=12 K) of {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681} were well characterized by a weak coupling model. The carbon vacancies present in the host cubic structure were found to be robust, although the material was synthesized from stoichiometric carbon and Mo powder under a high-pressure of 6 GPa. A thermodynamically-stable structure with ordered vacancies did not account for the robust features of {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681} since the vacancies are unlikely to be ordered in long range in the host structure. A model based on inherent phonon instability theoretically predicted for a stoichiometric MoC phase might be responsible for the robust features of {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681}. - Graphical Abstract: The cubic molybdenum carbide shows an excellent superconductivity with robust carbon vacancies. Inherent phonon instability theoretically predicted for a stoichiometric MoC phase might be responsible for the vacancies rather than a thermodynamically-stable structure with vacancies ordering. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 12 K superconductivity is well characterized by a weakly coupling model. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Carbon vacancies are robust and disordered in the cubic host structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Inherent phonon instability might be responsible for the robust carbon vacancies in {delta}-MoC{sub 0.681}.

OSTI ID:
22149985
Journal Information:
Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Vol. 196; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-4596
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English