Synthesis and superconductivity of CeNi0.8Bi2: New entrant in superconductivity kitchen?

TL;DR

This paper reports the synthesis, structural characterization, and observation of weak superconductivity below 4.2K in CeNi0.8Bi2, a recently discovered compound in the field of superconductivity, aiming to stimulate further research.

Contribution

It provides a reproducible synthesis method and detailed structural data for CeNi0.8Bi2, and reports its weak superconductivity, contributing new experimental insights into this recently discovered material.

Findings

CeNi0.8Bi2 crystallizes in tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm.

The compound exhibits weak superconductivity below 4.2K.

Synthesis was achieved via solid state reaction with vacuum encapsulation.

Abstract

CeNi0.8Bi2 is very recent entrant in superconductivity kitchen [1], and the same seeks reproduction from other groups. We report synthesis, structural details and superconductivity in CeNi0.8Bi2 compound. The CeNi0.8Bi2 compound is synthesized by solid state reaction route via vacuum encapsulation of high purity mixed Ce, Ni, Bi and subsequent heating of the same at 500 0C for 10 hours followed by annealing at 750 0C for 20 hours. As synthesized compounds are dark grey in color and do crystallize in tetragonal structure with space group P4/nmm. The lattice parameters are a = 3.61 {\AA} and c = 10.20 {\AA}. AC susceptibility measurements showed that synthesized CeNi0.8Bi2 compound is weakly superconducting below 4.2K. We believe our article will regenerate fresh activity to look for bulk superconductivity in CeNi0.8Bi2.