2008/12/01 by Nicolas Emery, Claire Hérold, Jean-François Marêché +1 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Chemistry · #Superconductivity in MgB2 and Alloys #Rare-earth and actinide compounds #Inorganic Chemistry and Materials
paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/1468-6996/9/4/044102
openalex publication_date 2008/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Among the superconducting graphite intercalation compounds, CaC6 exhibits the highest critical temperature Tc=11.5 K. Bulk samples of CaC6 are obtained by immersing highly oriented pyrographite pieces in a well-chosen liquid Li–Ca alloy for 10 days at 350 °C. The crystal structure of CaC6 belongs to the space group. In order to study the superconducting properties of CaC6, magnetisation was measured as a function of temperature and direction of magnetic field applied parallel or perpendicular to the c-axis. Meissner effect was evidenced, as well as a type II superconducting behaviour and a small anisotropy. In agreement with calculations, experimental results obtained from various techniques suggest that a classical electron-phonon mechanism is responsible for the superconductivity of CaC6. Application of high pressure increases the Tc up to 15.1 K at 8 GPa.