One-step synthesis of nitrogen-rich Mo2C1−xNx solid solution with enhanced superconductivity

Abstract

A nitrogen doping strategy is often adopted to improve the superconductivity of Mo₂C for raising the Fermi surface, yet it is difficult to prepare Mo₂C with high nitrogen content. The highest doping content in the literature is only 1.36%, plus the preparation process is complex. In this work, a series of Mo₂C_1−xN_x solid solutions (x ≤ 0.57) was prepared by simple solid-state reaction. The structure of Mo₂C is unchanged after nitrogen doping. The unit cell parameters changed with anisotropy. A change in superconductivity of Mo₂C has been observed. Its superconducting critical temperature (T_c) is increased from 5.5 K to 7.9 K.