title: Reversible superconductor-insulator transition in LiTi2O4 induced by Li-ion electrochemical reaction.
abstract: Transition metal oxides display various electronic and magnetic phases such as high-temperature superconductivity. Controlling such exotic properties by applying an external field is one of the biggest continuous challenges in condensed matter physics. Here, we demonstrate clear superconductor-insulator transition of LiTi2O4 films induced by Li-ion electrochemical reaction. A compact electrochemical cell of pseudo-Li-ion battery structure is formed with a superconducting LiTi2O4 film as an anode. Li content in the film is controlled by applying a constant redox voltage. An insulating state is achieved by Li-ion intercalation to the superconducting film by applying reduction potential. In contrast, the superconducting state is reproduced by applying oxidation potential to the Li-ion intercalated film. Moreover, superconducting transition temperature is also recovered after a number of cycles of Li-ion electrochemical reactions. This complete reversible transition originates in difference in potentials required for deintercalation of initially contained and electrochemically intercalated Li(+) ions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshimatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mashiko
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.|Materials Research Centre for Element Strategy (MCES), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohtomo