Superconductivity and magnetism in Iron Sulfides Intercalated by Metal Hydroxides

Abstract

Inspired by naturally occurring sulfide minerals, we present a new family of iron-based superconductors. A metastable form of FeS known as the mineral mackinawite forms two-dimensional sheets that can be readily intercalated by various cationic guest species. Under hydrothermal conditions using alkali metal hydroxides, we prepare three different cation and metal hydroxide-intercalated FeS phases including (Li${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$OH)FeS, [(Na${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$)(OH)${}_2$]FeS, and K${}_x$Fe${}_{2-y}$S${}_2$. Upon successful intercalation of the FeS layer, the superconducting critical temperature $T_c$ of mackinawite is enhanced from 5 K to 8 K for the (Li${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$OH)${}^{\delta +}$ intercalate. Layered heterostructures of [(Na${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$)(OH)${}_2$]FeS resemble the natural mineral tochilinite, which contains an iron square lattice interleaved with a hexagonal hydroxide lattice. Whilst heterostructured [(Na${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$)(OH)${}_2$]FeS displays long-range magnetic ordering near 15 K, K${}_x$Fe${}_{2-y}$S${}_2$ displays short range antiferromagnetism.

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