Unlocking the Future of Superconductors in non-van-der Waals 2D Polymers

Peking University, November 20, 2024: In a groundbreaking achievement, researchers from Peking University's School of Materials Science and Engineering, led by Professor Jin-Hu Dou, have synthesized a novel non-van-der-Waals two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer with intrinsic superconducting properties. The findings, published in Nature Communications (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53786-1) on October 29, 2024, introduce the first precise crystal structure of the Cu₃BHT coordination polymer, marking a significant leap in the development of advanced electronic materials and quantum state exploration.

Highlights of the Study:
The study presents the synthesis of Cu₃BHT, a coordination polymer with a quasi-2D Kagome structure characterized by interlayer covalent Cu-S bonds. This discovery deviates significantly from the previously hypothesized graphite-like structure. Using high-quality single crystals, the team conducted atomic-level structural determinations, revealing a lattice that supports unique electronic properties, including superconductivity at 0.25 K.

Why It Matters:
Two-dimensional coordination polymers (2D MOFs) have rapidly emerged as promising materials for electronic applications. Their modular lattice design, formed by metal centers and conjugated ligands, allows exceptional control over electronic states, enabling applications in quantum transport and superconductivity. This work challenges the traditional view of 2D MOFs as insulators, presenting them as tunable frameworks for next-generation superconducting materials.

Key Findings:
Structural Breakthrough:
-High-quality single crystals of Cu₃BHT were synthesized, enabling atomic-level structural analysis.
-The study revealed a quasi-two-dimensional Kagome structure, contradicting the earlier assumption of a graphite-like layered structure.
Superconducting Properties:
-Cu₃BHT exhibits metallic conductivity, reaching 10³ S/cm at room temperature and 10⁴ S/cm at 2 K.
-A superconducting transition occurs at 0.25 K, attributed to enhanced electron-phonon coupling and electron-electron interactions.
Novel Interactions:
-The study identifies interlayer covalent Cu-S bonds, a stark contrast to typical van der Waals interactions, which play a key role in the material's unique properties.

Written by: Akaash Babar
Edited by: Zhang Jiang
Source: School of Materials Science and Engineering