Superconductors represent a real advance in materials for energy-related applications, either through storage of energy as a magnetic field, or through their energy efficiency (they exhibit zero electrical resistivity). As with the high-Tc superconducting cuprates, there is a challenge in relating chemical composition to physical properties in iron-based superconductors. Here, we present how we have combined solid-state chemistry with advanced characterization techniques to understand the key chemical, structural, and magnetic trends that make these materials superconducting. In particular, we have studied the chalcogenide system Fe1+x(S,Se,Te) and the effects of both the amount of interstitial iron, x, and anion substitution on its properties. Advanced scattering techniques such as neutron single crystal diffraction and spectroscopy were utilized to see how the magnetic excitations are possibly related to superconductivity. In addition, we present some interesting trends on these materials combining bond valence theory analysis with physical measurements.

Chemical, structural, and magnetic trends in iron-based superconductors

245th National Meeting (2013)

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