Synthesis of ErFeAsO-based superconductors by hydrogen doping method

Abstract

Here we demonstrate the technique to stabilize the ErFeAsO-based superconductor with the smallest lattice constants in LnFeAsO1-y (Ln = lanthanide) series using hydrogen doping method. Polycrystalline samples were synthesized by heating pellets with nominal compositions of ErFeAsO1-y (1-y = 0.75 ~ 0.95) sandwiched between pellets of LaFeAsO0.8H0.8 compositions at 1100 {\deg}C under a pressure of 5.0 - 5.5 GP. The sample with lattice constants of a = 3.8219 {\AA} and c = 8.2807 {\AA} shows the highest superconducting critical temperatures (Tc) of 44.5 K and 41.0 K determined by onset transitions of resistivity and susceptibility, respectively. We discuss phase diagram of Ln dependence of Tc in LnFeAsO-based superconductors.