Template Synthesis of MoN Superconducting Nanowires

Abstract

We have demonstrated a new facile method for the controllable synthesis of high quality single-phase MoN nanowires with Tc 10.5 K from Mo6S2I8 nanowires templates. The MoN nanowire diameters were controlled exclusively by the Mo6S2I8 nanowires template diameters, which were in the range between several tens and several hundreds of nanometers in this study. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Ohmic contacts can be prepared on δ3-MoN nanowires with ion beam induced platinum deposition using an FIB, allowing detailed characterization of the superconducting and transport properties of MoN nanowires. In addition, we have demonstrated straightforward synthesis of porous δ3-MoN nanowires and nanotubes from MoS2 nanotubes. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with wave dispersive analysis, transmission electron microscopy, four probe electrical transport measurements and SQUID were used to characterize the starting nanowires and nanotubes and the final products.