Superconductivity in films of Pb/PbSe core/shell nanocrystals.
Superconductivity in films of electronically coupled colloidal lead nanocrystals is reported. The coupling between particles is in situ controlled through the conversion of the oxides present on the surface of the nanoparticles to chalcogenides. This transformation allows for a 10(9)-fold increase in the conductivity. The temperature of the onset of the superconductivity was found to depend upon the degree of coupling of the nanoparticles in the vicinity of the insulator-superconductor transition. The critical current density of the best sample of Pb/PbSe nanocrystals at zero magnetic field was determined to be 4 × 10(3) A/cm(2). In turn, the critical field of the sample shows 50-fold enhancement compared to bulk Pb.
James Franck Institute, The University of Chicago, 929 E 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.
Pavlo
P
Zolotavin
Philippe
P
Guyot-Sionnest
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
D003102:Colloids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018036:Selenium Compounds; C088065:lead selenide; D007854:Lead