Superconductivity in Doped Black Phosphorus?

Superconductivity has been predicted theoretically in Li-doped black phosphorus (BP) [1, 2]. To experimentally verify the prediction, BP crystals were synthesized from red phosphorus by two different methods: 1) the chemical vapor transport technique, and 2) the high-pressure technique. The BP crystals were then intercalated by two different methods: 1) n-Butyllithium treatment for Li-intercalant, and 2) electrochemical treatment for Li- and Na-intercalants. The pristine and the intercalated BPs were characterized by XRD, EDS, transport and magnetic measurement. Superconductivity with T_c of 3.8 K was detected in some of the intercalated BP crystals, but not in all. Detailed studies are still in progress.

[1] Shao, D. F., Lu, W. J., Lv, H. Y. & Sun, Y. P. EPL 108, 67004 (2014).
[2] Huang, G. Q., Xing, Z. W. & Xing, D. Y. Appl. Phys. Lett. 106, 113107 (2015).