Abstract
RESEARCH into intermetallic superconductors has recently been reinvigorated by the discovery of superconductivity at 23 K in a Y–Pd–B–C quaternary alloy1 (tying with the long-standing inter-metallic record held by Nb3 Ge (ref. 2)), and at lower temperatures in other quaternary boro-carbide alloys based on Ni, Pd and Pt3–6. The crystal structure of these new intermetallic superconductors, typified by LuNi2B2C (ref. 7), consists of one square layer of rock-salt-type LnC (where Ln stands for a rare-earth element) alternating with one layer of transition-metal boride tetrahedra. Here we report superconductivity at 12–13 K in a new quaternary intermetallic system, lanthanum nickel boro-nitride. We have determined the formula and crystal structure of superconducting La3Ni2B2N3, and also of a related non-superconducting phase LaNiBN. The crystal structure of La3Ni2B2N3 is related to that of LuM2B2C, but consists of three rock-salt-type LaN layers alter-nating with tetrahedral Ni2B2 layers, an arrangement considerably more two-dimensional than is found for the superconducting boro-carbides. These discoveries strongly suggest that a large number of unusual superconducting intermetallic phases are yet to be found, based on materials more complex than have previously been considered as candidates for superconductivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cava, R. J. et al. Nature 367, 146–148 (1994).
Gavaler, R. J. J. appl. Phys. Lett. 23, 480–482 (1973).
Nagarajan, R. et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 274–277 (1994).
Cava, R. J. et al. Nature 367, 252–253 (1994).
Sarrao, J. L. et al. Physica C229, 65–68 (1994).
Cava, R. J. et al. Phys. Rev. B49, 12384–12387 (1994).
Siegrist, T., Zandbergen, H. W., Cava, R. J., Krajewski, J. J. & Peck, W. F. Jr Nature 367, 254–256 (1994).
Rauch, P. E., DiSalvo, F. J., Brese, N. E., Partin, D. E. & O'Keeffe, M. J. Solid St. Chem. 110, 162–166 (1994).
Zandbergen, H. W., Jansen, J., Cava, R. J., Krajewski, J. J. & Peck, W. F. Jr Nature (submitted).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cava, R., Zandbergen, H., Batlogg, B. et al. Superconductivity in lanthanum nickel boro-nitride. Nature 372, 245–247 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/372245a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/372245a0
This article is cited by
-
Superconductivity in Centrosymmetric TaCx with x = 0.0, 1.25, and 1.50
Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism (2024)
-
First-principles search of hot superconductivity in La-X-H ternary hydrides
npj Computational Materials (2022)
-
Unconventional superconductivity in Y5Rh6Sn18 probed by muon spin relaxation
Scientific Reports (2015)
-
Theoretical Investigations of the Electronic, Elastic, Thermodynamics Properties and the Superconducting Transition Temperature of MNiBN (M = La, Ca)
Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism (2014)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.