by Alberto Andrino-Gómez, Gema Tabares, Manuel Moratalla, Andrés Redondo-Cubero, Vicente Madurga, Cristina Favieres, José Vergara, Gastón García-López, Nuria Gordillo and Miguel Ángel Ramos
Abstract:
Crystalline Bi100−xSbx alloys are known as the first discovered topological insulators, as well as for their promising thermoelectric properties, while their amorphous counterparts exhibit superconductivity (Tc > 6 K). However, their strong tendency to crystallize has hindered both the study and practical applications of amorphous Bi and Bi–Sb alloys. To explore the possibility of obtaining amorphous superconducting phases and enhancing thermoelectric properties, we investigated ion-beam irradiation as a method to induce amorphization in Bi100−xSbx alloys. We report irradiation experiments on pure Bi and Bi100−xSbx using bismuth and iodine ions (tens of MeV), generating an estimated vacancy damage of 40%–80%. Structural characterization and electrical resistivity measurements (2–300 K) revealed that, while amorphization and superconductivity were not achieved, melt-spun samples exhibited an order of magnitude higher conductivity than thermally evaporated ones. Moreover, ion-induced disorder further improved electrical conductivity, particularly in Bi90Sb10, highlighting its potential for thermoelectric applications.
Reference:
Alberto Andrino-Gómez, Gema Tabares, Manuel Moratalla, Andrés Redondo-Cubero, Vicente Madurga, Cristina Favieres, José Vergara, Gastón García-López, Nuria Gordillo and Miguel Ángel Ramos, “Quest for amorphous superconductors of Bi–Sb alloys by irradiation with swift heavy ions”, Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 137, no. 11, pp. 115102.
Bibtex Entry:
@article{andrino-gomez_quest_2025,
title = {Quest for amorphous superconductors of {Bi}–{Sb} alloys by irradiation with swift heavy ions},
volume = {137},
issn = {0021-8979},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0255782},
doi = {10.1063/5.0255782},
abstract = {Crystalline Bi100−xSbx alloys are known as the first discovered topological insulators, as well as for their promising thermoelectric properties, while their amorphous counterparts exhibit superconductivity (Tc > 6 K). However, their strong tendency to crystallize has hindered both the study and practical applications of amorphous Bi and Bi–Sb alloys. To explore the possibility of obtaining amorphous superconducting phases and enhancing thermoelectric properties, we investigated ion-beam irradiation as a method to induce amorphization in Bi100−xSbx alloys. We report irradiation experiments on pure Bi and Bi100−xSbx using bismuth and iodine ions (tens of MeV), generating an estimated vacancy damage of 40%–80%. Structural characterization and electrical resistivity measurements (2–300 K) revealed that, while amorphization and superconductivity were not achieved, melt-spun samples exhibited an order of magnitude higher conductivity than thermally evaporated ones. Moreover, ion-induced disorder further improved electrical conductivity, particularly in Bi90Sb10, highlighting its potential for thermoelectric applications.},
number = {11},
urldate = {2025-05-27},
journal = {Journal of Applied Physics},
author = {Andrino-Gómez, Alberto and Tabares, Gema and Moratalla, Manuel and Redondo-Cubero, Andrés and Madurga, Vicente and Favieres, Cristina and Vergara, José and García-López, Gastón and Gordillo, Nuria and Ramos, Miguel Ángel},
month = mar,
year = {2025},
pages = {115102},
file = {Full Text PDF:E:\Usuarios\Administrator\Zotero\storage\WVS3D97J\Andrino-Gómez et al. - 2025 - Quest for amorphous superconductors of Bi–Sb alloys by irradiation with swift heavy ions.pdf:application/pdf;Snapshot:E:\Usuarios\Administrator\Zotero\storage\F26274XH\Quest-for-amorphous-superconductors-of-Bi-Sb.html:text/html},
}