Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach

H. Esma Okur

Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach

Abstract

This study explores an optimized thermal protocol for synthesizing ternary superconducting fullerides, focusing on enhancing the face-centered-cubic (fcc) phase fraction while mitigating the formation of competing thermodynamically stable phases. Unlike previous studies, which primarily investigated annealing conditions, this work introduces a drop-quenching approach—rapid cooling in ice/water baths (-3°C to 1°C)—as a potential means to influence phase formation. The expanded ternary fulleride, K0.3Cs2.7C60, was synthesized through a precursor-based solid-state synthetic route. The impact of two annealing temperatures (430°C and 480°C) and two cooling methods (drop-quenching vs. ambient air cooling) was systematically examined. X-ray powder diffraction confirms that K0.3Cs0.7C60 adopts a cubic structure with fcc symmetry. Magnetization measurements reveal that the material exhibits superconductivity with a critical temperature (Tc) of 29.9 K. Structural characterizations shows that increasing the annealing temperature from 430°C to 480°C, combined with intermittent regrinding and pelletization, improved fcc-phase fractions and lattice expansion. However, the difference between quench cooling and natural cooling in air is found to be minimal. These findings suggest that increasing the annealing temperature to 480°C could be beneficial for the synthesis of expanded ternary fullerides by enhancing the superconducting fcc-phase fractions and addressing challenges posed by the increased size mismatch of the substituted cations relative to the interstitial sites in the fcc structure.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Civil Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

H. Esma Okur ^*
0000-0003-3439-0716
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 29, 2025

Submission Date

February 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Okur, H. E. (2025). Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 12(3), 227-234. https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM

AMA

1.Okur HE. Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach. IJEGEO. 2025;12(3):227-234. https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM

Chicago

Okur, H. Esma. 2025. “Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach”. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 12 (3): 227-34. https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM.

EndNote

Okur HE (September 1, 2025) Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 12 3 227–234.

IEEE

[1]H. E. Okur, “Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach”, IJEGEO, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 227–234, Sept. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM

ISNAD

Okur, H. Esma. “Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach”. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics 12/3 (September 1, 2025): 227-234. https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM.

JAMA

1.Okur HE. Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach. IJEGEO. 2025;12:227–234.

MLA

Okur, H. Esma. “Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach”. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, vol. 12, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 227-34, https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM.

Vancouver

1.H. Esma Okur. Optimization of Thermal Processing for Enhancing Superconducting Phase Fractions in Ternary Fullerides via a Drop-Quenching Approach. IJEGEO [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 1;12(3):227-34. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA45UF35HM