Introduction
The discovery of superconducting materials has revolutionized the field of condensed matter physics. As materials that can conduct electric current with no resistance, they are capable of carrying electric current with complete efficiency. Superconductors have been developed since 1911 when Kamerlingh Onnes discovered the first superconducting compound, mercury. Since then, an increasing number of elements, compounds, and alloys have been discovered that exhibit superconducting properties. Much of the work in identifying these materials has been focused on synthesizing new compounds in order to study their potential as superconductors.
Superconducting Compounds
Superconducting compounds are formed from two or more elements. The most common compounds are formed from two different metals, although composites of several metals, as well as insulators or semi-conductors, can also be used to form superconducting compounds. The two elements are usually chosen so that their electron configurations are compatible and the lattice structure of the compound is conducive to superconductive behavior.
The superconductive properties of a compound are determined by its individual component elements, as well as the way that those elements interact with each other. Crystallinity plays an important role in how well a compound will superconduct, as does the electron count and spin state of the elements. In other words, when two or more elements combine, the resulting compound can have a number of different superconducting properties.
Synthesis of Superconducting Compounds
In order to synthesize a superconducting compound, the starting materials must first be obtained. This can be done through chemical extraction from natural sources, but is most often done through laboratory-based syntheses. The starting materials are combined in a wide range of solvents, including water, alcohol, and ether, depending on the nature of the compounds.
Once the starting materials have been combined, the mixture is heated to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time. This step is known as “annealing” and is necessary for the formation of the desired compound. The annealing process also allows impurities to be eliminated from the compound, which can improve its superconductive properties.
Once the compound has been synthesized, it must be characterized in order to determine its superconductive properties. This is done through a number of techniques, such as electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.
Conclusion
The discovery and synthesis of superconducting compounds have opened up a new world of possibilities for material scientists and engineers. By synthesizing compounds and studying their properties, scientists are able to continue to make progress in the development of advanced superconductors. Superconductors will continue to play an important role in the advancement of technology and engineering, and the development and characterization of new compounds will be at the heart of that progress.
