Superconductivity in metal rich Li-Pd-B ternary Boride

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of superconductivity at 8K in a metal-rich Li-Pd-B ternary boride, specifically Li2Pd3B, with detailed structural and magnetic analysis confirming its properties.

Contribution

First observation of superconductivity in a metal-rich ternary boride containing alkaline metal and Pd, expanding the understanding of boride superconductors.

Findings

Superconductivity observed at 8K in Li2Pd3B

Li2Pd3B has a cubic structure with distorted Pd6B octahedrons

High-density, air-stable compound with Hc2(0) of 6T

Abstract

8K superconductivity was observed in the metal rich Li-Pd-B ternary system. Structural, microstructural, electrical and magnetic investigations for various compositions proved that Li2Pd3B compound, which has a cubic structure composed of distorted Pd6B octahedrons, is responsible for the superconductivity. This is the first observation of superconductivity in metal rich ternary borides containing alkaline metal and Pd as a late transition metal. The compound prepared by arc melting has high density, is stable in the air and has an upper critical field, Hc2(0), of 6T.