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Liu Y, Meng Q, Mahmoudi P, Wang Z, Zhang J, Yang J, Li W, Wang D, Li Z, Sorrell C, Li S. Advancing Superconductivity with Interface Engineering. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2405009. [PMID: 39104281 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
The development of superconducting materials has attracted significant attention not only for their improved performance, such as high transition temperature (TC), but also for the exploration of their underlying physical mechanisms. Recently, considerable efforts have been focused on interfaces of materials, a distinct category capable of inducing superconductivity at non-superconducting material interfaces or augmenting the TC at the interface between a superconducting material and a non-superconducting material. Here, two distinct types of interfaces along with their unique characteristics are reviewed: interfacial superconductivity and interface-enhanced superconductivity, with a focus on the crucial factors and potential mechanisms responsible for enhancing superconducting performance. A series of materials systems is discussed, encompassing both historical developments and recent progress from the perspectives of technical innovations and the exploration of new material classes. The overarching goal is to illuminate pathways toward achieving high TC, expanding the potential of superconducting parameters across interfaces, and propelling superconductivity research toward practical, high-temperature applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Liu
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Qingxiao Meng
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Pezhman Mahmoudi
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ziyi Wang
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ji Zhang
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jack Yang
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Wenxian Li
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Danyang Wang
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Zhi Li
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chris Sorrell
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Sean Li
- UNSW Materials and Manufacturing Futures Institute, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
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Yang C, Pons R, Sigle W, Wang H, Benckiser E, Logvenov G, Keimer B, van Aken PA. Direct observation of strong surface reconstruction in partially reduced nickelate films. Nat Commun 2024; 15:378. [PMID: 38191551 PMCID: PMC10774438 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44616-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The polarity of a surface can affect the electronic and structural properties of oxide thin films through electrostatic effects. Understanding the mechanism behind these effects requires knowledge of the atomic structure and electrostatic characteristics at the surface. In this study, we use annular bright-field imaging to investigate the surface structure of a Pr0.8Sr0.2NiO2+x (0 < x < 1) film. We observe a polar distortion coupled with octahedral rotations in a fully oxidized Pr0.8Sr0.2NiO3 sample, and a stronger polar distortion in a partially reduced sample. Its spatial depth extent is about three unit cells from the surface. Additionally, we use four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to directly image the local atomic electric field surrounding Ni atoms near the surface and discover distinct valence variations of Ni atoms, which are confirmed by atomic-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Our results suggest that the strong surface reconstruction in the reduced sample is closely related to the formation of oxygen vacancies from topochemical reduction. These findings provide insights into the understanding and evolution of surface polarity at the atomic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Yang
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Rebecca Pons
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wilfried Sigle
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hongguang Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Eva Benckiser
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Gennady Logvenov
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Bernhard Keimer
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Peter A van Aken
- Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany
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