Magnetism and superconductivity in alkali metal doped 2,2′-bipyridine from near room temperature synthesis*

Organic superconductors have long been the major players in the development of modern physical chemistry. So far, many cases of introducing charge into π-electron networks in organic superconductors with Meissner effect have been found. However, most of them lack pivotal zero resistance measurements because of the high synthesized temperature leading to the decomposition of organic materials and forming non-homogeneous phases. To avoid this tendency, a design principle for low temperature synthetic reaction process is indispensable.
We report a development method for doping alkali metals into organic materials and forming a homogeneous phase together with the experimental discoveries of superconductivity in sodium potassium alloy doped 2,2′-bipyridine. We successfully detected superconductivity from the observed Meissner effect and zero resistance effect. The work demonstrates that low temperature synthetic reaction process is of great significance for producing organic superconductors.