Tetragonal iron chalcogenides, made of iron and one group 16 element, primarily sulfur in our work, have a 2-dimensional layered structure with superconducting behavior at low temperatures. From literature, we learn that the superconducting transition temperature,Tc can be increased by intercalating new species such as alkali metal ions or metal complexes into the interlayer space. The layered structure of tetragonal FeS with weak van der Waals forces holding these layers together makes the intercalation possible. We attempt synthesis of metal amine complex intercalated FeS in situ using solvothermal conditions. This experiment used three different amine solvents, 1,2-diaminopropane (DAP), 1,3-DAP, and ethylenediamine (EDA) as intercalates to the FeS layer space. These molecules can intercalate as free ligands, as coordination complexes, or both. The main goal of my experiment was to synthesize these crystalline intercalated Iron sulfide heterostructures and understand the effect of various amine solvents and reaction conditions such as temperatures on the product formed in situ. This work will allow for comparative study on how the diamine solvent can direct structure and bonding in the final complex and eventually affect its macroscopic properties. In the synthesis, iron powder is used, along with thiourea as a source of sulfur, and ammonium chloride. Reactions were carried out at temperatures ranging from 140°C to 220°C. After synthesis, magnetic susceptibility was measured on the superconducting quantum interference device, or SQUID, to determine the magnetic behavior of the product. To determine exact structure through single crystal Xray diffraction, good quality single crystals need to be grown and further experiment trials are in progress.

Synthesis of diamine metal complex intercalated iron sulfide heterostructures

ACS Spring 2022

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