Superconductivity in the Organic Charge Transfer Salts: (TMTSF)2X and (TMTTF)2X

Abstract

We report pressure dependent studies of the a-axis resistivity as a function of temperature for several members of the isostructural families of organic charge transfer salts, (TMTSF)₂X and (TMTTF) ₂X. For a typical (TMTSF)₂X material the low temperature metal-insulator transition seen at 1 bar is suppressed above some critical pressure, P_c, where a superconducting transition is observed near 1 K. We find a correlation between P_c and the ambient pressure c lattice parameter which reflects the anion size. The (TMTTF) _cX salts exhibit very different ambient pressure behaviour but we find that with the application of sufficiently high pressures (～30 kbar) their behaviour resembles that seen in the (TMTSF)₂X family but at lower pressures. In particular we find evidence of a possible superconducting transition near 4 K in (TMTTF)₂Br at 25 kbar. At this pressure the conductivity near 4 K is extremely high with a value approaching 10⁶ (Ωcm)^?1 and the resistivity ratio is about 400.     

Magnetotransport In (TMTSF)2PF6 and (TMTSF)2C104 Under Pressure

We have shown from the magnetotransport that the Fermi surface of (TMTSF)₂PF₆ is effectively closed two-dimensionally and is compensated in the metallic state at low temperature. These results are inconsistent with a broad regime of one-dimensional superconducting fluctuations.

Independent electron theory is seen to be inadequate to explain either the Fermi surface or the threshold field for oscillations, thereby implying that correlation effects are still important in the metallic state. Finally, an anomaly has been observed in the magnetotransport of (TMTSF)₂C10₄ which is analogous to the threshold field in (TMTSF)₂PF₆.     

(TMTSF)2(2,5-Tcnqbr2): Structure and Physical Properties

The 2:1 charge-transfer salt (TMTSF)₂(2,5-TCNQBr2) has been prepared and its physical properties investigated. Its crystal structure consists of segregated stacks of TMTSF donors (ring-over-bond overlap pattern; mean interplanar spacing of 3.6A) and chains of edge-on and disordered 2,5-TCNQBr2 acceptors. Infrared data are suggestive of unit charge on the 2,5-TCNQBr2 molecule and, therefore, half charge on the TMTSF donor. Resistivity data are successfully interpreted on the basis of a percolation construction. Magnetic data are also presented.     

Possibility of Coexistence of Spin Density Wave and Superconductivity in Organic Conductor (TMTSF)2PF6

A theory for the coexistence problem of the spin density wave (SDW) and superconductivity (SC) in highly anisotropic materials is presented. On the basis of a simplified electronic band model a Hartree-Fock approximation is applied. It is concluded that SDW is precluded when SC developes at a higher temperature. When the SDW onset temperature is higher than that of SC, these long range orders generally coexist unless two orders interchange by a first order phase transition. Discussions on possible phase diagrams for (TMTSF)₂PF₆ under pressure are given.     

Intercalation of O2 and its Effect on the Properties of C60 and C70 Solids

Abstract

The intercalation of O₂ in C₆₀ and C₇₀ solids have been studied. In both gas effusion spectra of C₆₀ and C₇₀ powder exposed to O₂ at room temperature, two evolution peaks of O₂ are found near 80 and 150°C. In both C₆₀ and C₇₀ powder, the peak near 80°C does not depend on a heating ratio and the peak near 150°C shifts to higher temperature with the heating ratio. The activation energy on diffusion of O₂ in C₆₀ and C₇₀ solids are ～0.27eV and ～0.46eV, respectively. The number of O₂ intercalated in C₇₀ powder is larger than that in C₆₀ powder. Electron spin density of 02-intercalated C₆₀ film is larger than that of C₇₀ film. The effect on the properties of C₆₀ and C₇₀ solids by the intercalation of O₂ are discussed.     

Synthesis and Single Crystal X-Ray Structure of [Na(H2O)2(C18H15O6SO3)]2

Abstract  [Na(H₂O)₂(C₁₈H₁₅O₆SO₃)]₂ was synthesized by sulfated 5-hydroxy-6,7,4′-trimethoxyisoflavone with concentrated sulfuric acid. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction study indicates that it is a dimeric centrosymmetric species. The coordination polyhedron of each Na(I) atom exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The dimeric units are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds C–H⋯π, C–H⋯O and O–H⋯O to result in a three-dimensional framework. Graphical Abstract  [Na(H₂O)₂(C₁₈H₁₅O₆SO₃)]₂ was synthesized by sulfated 5-hydroxy-6,7,4′-trimethoxyisoflavone with concentrated sulfuric acid. The coordination polyhedron of each Na(I) atom exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The dimeric centrosymmetric units are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds C–H⋯π, C–H⋯O and O–H⋯O to result in a three-dimensional framework. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The Electronic Structures of (PH4)3C60 and (ClO4)3C60

Abstract

We have studied theoretically the electronic structures of a hypothetical donor-type material, (PH₄)₃C₆₀, and a hypothetical acceptor-type material, (ClO₄)₃C₆₀ from first principles by using a full-potential linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals method based on the density-functional theory within the local-density approximation. It is found that the charge transfer from the PH₄ molecules to the C₆₀ molecules is perfect while the charge transfer from the ClO₄ molecules to the C₆₀ molecules is not perfect. We compare the latter result with the electronic structures of two typical acceptor-type organic conductors, (TMTSF)₂ClO₄ and (TMTSF)₂PF₆, and discuss the differences.     

Resistive and Magnetic Susceptibility Transitions in Superconducting (TMTSF)2C104

We report measurements of the ac magnetic susceptibility and dc resistive superconducting transitions in the organic superconductor (TMTSF)₂C10₄. Inductive measurements show complete diamagnetic shielding below a broad transition and initial flux penetration at very low fields [H_c1(0) < 1 Oe]. The resistive transition is also broad, but occurs at a significantly higher temperature than the inductive transition, T_c = 1.0 K and 0.65 K respectively. Resistance measurements also show evidence of a phase transition in the vicinity of 24 K. Magnetic field induced transitions, measured both inductively and resistively, show marked anistropy both in magnitude and in breadth of the transition. Results suggest that (TMTSF)₂C10₄ is a quasi ID or 2D superconductor at high temperatures and high magnetic fields and an anisotropic bulk superconductor at low temperatures and fields. Associated thermoelectric power measurements suggest that spin density waves coexist with the superconducting state.     

Hydrogen Intercalation in Potassium-C60

Abstract

Solid state ¹H NMR of (KH)₃C₆₀ was measured in the temperature range between ?80 and 60 °C. A doublet spectrum composed of main peak at ?7.0 ppm and shoulder peak at ～0 ppm was observed at room temperature. The negative chemical shift of the main peak indicates that hydrogen in (KH)₃C₆₀ exists as a hydride-like ion. The 60 °C spectrum became singlet at ?5.8 ppm due to motional narrowing.     

The crystal and molecular structure of bis(melamine)silver(I) perchlorate, Ag(C3H6N6)2ClO4

The crystal structure of the title compound, Ag(mela)₂ClO₄ (mela = melamine), has been investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques, the crystals are triclinic, space group P1¯, with a = 5.236(2), b = 7.5385(9) c = 19.063(3) Å, = 99.91(1), = 90.53(2), = 108.32(2)° and Z = 2. The Ag atom has a coordination geometry with two strong bonds (2.162(2) and 2.179(4) Å) to the nitrogen of the melamines and two weak bonds (2.776(4) and 2.785(4) Å) to oxygen atoms of the ClO^– ₄anions. The N—Ag—N vector is markedly nonlinear (angle at Ag 167.7(2)°).     

Overhauser Shift of the Conduction Electron Spin Resonance in (FA)2PF6 Single Crystals

The shift ΔB _ov of the ESR line due to saturation of the NMR of the hyperfine coupled nuclei (Overhauser shift) was measured for single crystals of the organic conductor (FA)₂PF₆. ΔB_ov , is proportional to [Abar] _tt , being the average hyperfine interaction between the conduction electrons and the protons in resonance, and the dynamic nuclear spin polarization (DNP), respectively. The DNP enhancement factor V was determined for the two orientations of the static magnetic field B _o , perpendicular (V _∥ = 525 ± 40) and parallel (V _∥ = 280 ± 25) to the needle axis a, respectively. The absolute value of the average hyperfine coupling is [Abar]^zz = –(1.16 ± 0.05) Gauss · g_e μ _B . Both, the temperature dependence and the anisotropy of the proton spin relaxation times T ₁ ^p and T ₁ ^p were measured from the time dependence of the Overhauser shift, ΔB_ov (t) after rf-pulses or after switching “on” and “off” the ESR saturation. Within the metallic phase of the crystal the proton relaxation is governed by a Korringa law. The experiments definitely show, that the electron spins, showing up in the ESR are those of the conduction electrons.     

Anion Symmetry and the Separability of Structural Parameters for Tetramethyltetraselenafulvalenium Salts, (TMTSF)2X

Empirical correlations of various structural parameters for a series of (TMTSF)₂X salts have been explored utilizing a van der Waals-like estimate for the radius of the counterion X. Included amongst the parameters studied are: (a) the lengths of the transverse cell constants c and b; (b) the interdonor Se .. Se contact distances; (c) the alternate separation between molecular centers of mass along the columnar stack of donors (a); and (d) the symmetry and strength of the anion coupling to its donor-dominated structural cavity. The notable result is that independent correlations are found for salts containing centrosymmetric and non-centrosymmetric anions.     

Crystal and molecular structure of a cobalt(II) complex with bis(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-methylamine (L)

The reaction product of Co(II) chloride and the title ligand L, formulated as CoLCl₂·CH₃OH, was prepared and characterized by means of structural and spectroscopic measurements. The violet crystals are orthorhombic, (space groupP2₁2₁2₁) witha=8.093(2),b=14.883(3),c=16.831(3) Å, andZ=4. The structure consists of discrete molecules with pseudo-, noncrystallographic twofold symmetry in which the Co atom is coordinated in trigonal bipyramidal geometry by three nitrogen and two chlorine atoms. The ligand L is coordinated to the Co atom in afac mode and two chlorine atoms are incis-positions. The structure was confirmed by IR-spectra.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of fac-BrMn(CO)3{PH(C6H5)2}2

In attempts to find appropriated methods for preparation of unstable sulfinyl and sulfonylphosphane complexes we have synthesized the diphenylphosphine complexes of Mn(I), BrMn(CO)₄PHPh₂, (1) and BrMn(CO)₃(PHPh₂)₂ (2). Both should undergo electrophilic substitution in the presence of an adequated base. Parallel to the reactions of stabilization of phosphanes we have studied by means of x-ray analysis the structure of fac-BrMn(CO)₃(PHPh₂)₂ (2). The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P, a = 9.840(2), b = 11.207(2), c = 13.083(3) Å, = 72.00(3), = 69.59(3), = 81.41(3)°, U = 1284.7(4) ų, and Z = 2. In this complex the manganese atom shows an octahedral coordination geometry, with three carbonyl ligands in a fac arrangement, and one bromide and two diphenylphosphine ligands cis to each other.     

Effects of Nb2O5 Replacement by Er2O3 on elastic and structural properties of 75TeO2-(10 − x)Nb2O5-15ZnO-(x)Er2O3 glass

Tellurite 75TeO₂-(10 − x)Nb₂O₅-15ZnO-(x)Er₂O₃; (x = 0.0-2.5 mol%) glass system with concurrent reduction of Nb₂O₅ and Er₂O₃ addition have been prepared by melt-quenching method. Elastic properties together with structural properties of the glasses were investigated by measuring both longitudinal and shear velocities using the pulse-echo-overlap technique at 5 MHz and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. Shear velocity, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Debye temperature were observed to initially decrease at x = 0.5 mol% but remained constant between x = 1.0 mol% to x = 2.0 mol%, before increasing back with Er₂O₃ addition at x = 2.5 mol%. The initial drop in shear velocity and related elastic moduli observed at x = 0.5 mol% were suggested to be due to weakening of glass network rigidity as a result of increase in non-bridging oxygen (NBO) ions as a consequence of Nb₂O₅ reduction. The near constant values of shear velocity, elastic moduli, Debye temperature, hardness and Poisson's ratio between x = 0.5 mol% to x = 2.0 mol% were suggested to be due to competition between bridging oxygen (BO) and NBO ions in the glass network as Er₂O₃ gradually compensated for Nb₂O₅. Further addition of Er₂O₃ (x > 2.0 mol%) seems to further reduce NBO leading to improved rigidity of the glass network causing a large increase of ultrasonic velocity (v_L and v_S) and related elastic moduli at x = 2.5 mol%. FTIR analysis on NbO₆ octahedral, TeO₄ trigonal bipyramid (tbp) and TeO₃ trigonal pyramid (tp) absorption peaks confirmed the initial formation of NBO ions at x = 0.5 mol% followed by NBO/BO competition at x = 0.5-2.0 mol%. Appearance of ZnO₄ tetrahedra and increase in intensity of TeO₄ tbp absorption peaks at x = 2.0 mol% and x = 2.5 mol% indicate increase in formation of BO.     

Principal Electrical Conductivities in the Organic Conductors TEA.(TCNQ)2 and TTF.TCNQ: The Microwave Approach

Abstract

We describe a microwave technique to measure the directions and magnitude of the principal electrical conductivities and permittivities of organic conductors. The method is applied to single crystals of triethylammonium-bis 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TEA.(TCNQ)₂) and of tetrathiafulvalenium-7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (TTF.TCNQ). For the former, the apriori set of principal axes (a*, (a*∧c), c) is confirmed with principal conductivities of 430, 5.3 and 0.41–0.77 Ω^?1m^?1 respectively. The room temperature permittivities have been measured for the first time (ε*_α ～ 5.4–5.5, ε*_α∧c ～ 7.5). For the latter it is clearly shown that the principal electrical axes are (a, b, c*) and, in contrary to earlier d.c data, we observe σ_c· < σ<a which is more consistent with the anisotropy of interchain interactions in this compound. The observed transverse and longitudinal anisotropies (～3.3 10² and 2.8 10⁴ respectively) are larger than believed up to now.     

Crystallization kinetics in Cu46Zr45Al7Y2 bulk metallic glass by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

Crystallization transformation kinetics in isothermal and non-isothermal (continuous heating) modes were investigated in Cu₄₆Zr₄₅Al₇Y₂ bulk metallic glass by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In isochronal heating process, activation energy for crystallization at different crystallized volume fraction is analyzed by Kissinger method. Average value for crystallization in Cu₄₆Zr₄₅Al₇Y₂ bulk metallic glass is 361 kJ/mol in isochronal process. Isothermal transformation kinetics was described by the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) model. Avrami exponent n ranges from 2.4 to 2.8. The average value, around 2.5, indicates that crystallization mechanism is mainly three-dimensional diffusion-controlled. Activation energy is 484 kJ/mol in isothermal transformation for Cu₄₆Zr₄₅Al₇Y₂ bulk metallic glass. These different results were discussed using kinetic models. In addition, average activation energy of Cu₄₆Zr₄₅Al₇Y₂ bulk metallic glass calculated using Arrhenius equation is larger than the value calculated by the Kissinger method in non-isothermal conditions. The reason lies in the nucleation determinant in the non-isothermal mode, since crystallization begins at low temperature. Moreover, both nucleation and growth are involved with the same significance during isothermal crystallization. Therefore, the energy barrier in isothermal annealing mode is higher than that of isochronal conditions.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of anhydrous copper suberate: [Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OOC-(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript> -COO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The title compound [Cu₂(OOC-(CH₂)₆-COO)₂] was synthesized and its crystal structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a=5.1077(5) ?, b=8.362(2) ?, c=11.378(2) ?, α=93.773(6)°, β=97.587(9)°, γ=90.493(’9)° and D _cal=1.629 mg/m³ for Z=1.  The structure is polymeric and consists of discrete anhydrous centrosymmetric binuclear units [Cu₂(OOC-(CH₂)₆-COO)₂]. The two copper(II) centres bridged by the suberate groups in a syn-syn conformation, are in pentacoordinated distorted square-pyramidal coordination environment, with an intramolecular Cu–Cu distance of 2.5793(10) ?. Each binuclear unit, related to the next through μ_oxo bridges with a Cuμ_oxo–Cuμ_oxo separation of 3.2326(10)?, defines infinite chains of one-edge sharing CuO₅ square pyramid.