Study of the Superconductivity in Metals Transitions Diborides (MeB2), with AlB2 Prototype and Variations

Author(s)

Sergio Tuan Renosto

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Lorena.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL/ASDI)
• Defense date: 2015-04-24

Examining board members

Antonio Jefferson da Silva Machado; Iakov Veniaminovitch Kopelevitch; Cristina Bormio Nunes

• Advisor: Antonio Jefferson da Silva Machado

Abstract

The diborides group isostructural to MgB2 represented by AlB2 prototype structure are considered important candidates for superconductivity. However, the existence of the superconducting state is a rare phenomenon in this group of materials, indeed the majority of transition metal diborides are characterized by a Tc lower than 0.7 K. In this group, the normal compounds HfB2, VB2, YB2, and ZrB2 exhibit signature Pauli paramagnetic behavior at low temperatures. In this work it is shown that the metal partial substitution (Hf and Zr) by V in M1-xVxB2 samples generates distortions of the crystal lattice, with the emergence of a bulk superconducting state. The magnetic, electric and thermal measurements reveal a maximum Tc reaching 8.7 and 9.3 K for the respective samples Zr0.96V0.04B2 and Hf0.97V0.03B2 composition with high values of ? 0Hc2(0) (~ 16 and ~ 21 T, respectively). In these samples, the results about the behavior ? 0Hc1 (T), Cp(T), and VHall (T); and ETS (electronic tunneling spectroscopy) measurements in a single crystal; reveal a clear signatures of multiband superconductivity such as reported to the MgB2. Furthermore, the results show that the existence of the superconducting state ZrB2 appears to be not exclusive by V substitution, it is also observed in the sample Zr0.96Y0.04B2 whose Tc reaches 6.7 K again with signature multiband behavior. Also shown are the results of the existence of competitive magnetic behavior in samples of Zr1-xAlxB2 system, with a surprising ferromagnetic ordering. In this same scenario, it is also shown that substitution of Nb by Ni is able to raise the critical temperature of the NbB2-? compound from 3.6 K to 6.0 K. Since other borides as in Th1- xMxB12 (M = Zr, Sc, Y, Ti Hf) systems, in special conditions of synthesis and substitution the ThB12 phase (non-existent in the equilibrium conditions) can be stabilized, which is observed to Th0.97Zr0.03B12 sample with Tc close to 5.5 K and BCS superconducting behavior, but with a low of the k parameter value opening discussion for a new class of 1.5 type superconductors. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/05961-3 - Study of superconductivity in diboride and dichalcogenates of transition metal (MeB2 and MeX2) with AlB2 prototype and its variations
• Grantee: Sérgio Tuan Renosto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate