Lanthanides: Superconducting Materials

Abstract

Since the discovery of superconductivity in mercury by the Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes a century ago, in 1911, hundreds of superconducting materials including elements, intermetallic compounds, molecular and nonmolecular solids are now known. Among these, the rare earth element seems to play an important role in the synthesis and magnetic properties of the so‐called high‐temperature superconductors. In spite of the efforts made in the developing of a theory that fully explains this amazing phenomenon, there is no consensus among scientists yet. However, this fact has not represented a barrier for the developing of superconducting materials in films, wires, etc. that allows one to use them for many applications. This article is an overview and an introduction to superconductivity and superconducting materials.

Macrocyclic Ligands with an Unprecedented Size-Selectivity Pattern for the Lanthanide Ions

“…The unique physical properties of the lanthanides (Ln 3+ ) are critical for use in magnets, superconductors, catalysts, luminescent phosphors, and medicinal agents. − Despite their diverse magnetic and electronic properties, Ln 3+ ions possess similar chemical properties dictated by their strong preference for the +3 oxidation state and tendency to engage in ionic bonding. , The major distinguishing feature among them is their ionic radius, which decreases across the series, a phenomenon known as the lanthanide contraction …”

Lanthanide Loading of Luminescent Multi-Tridentate Polymers under Thermodynamic Control

“…Since the turn of the nineteenth century, macroscopic lanthanide-containing crystals, solids, and alloys found a wealth of technological applications, especially as catalysts for chemical transformations, as phosphors for lighting, and as primary components in magnets and in supra- and superconductors . In contrast, the development of discrete molecular lanthanide complexes working as microscopic optical and magnetic devices was delayed by the difficult acceptance of their preferences for coordination numbers larger than six .…”

Synthesis, solid-state, solution, and theoretical characterization of an “in-cage” scandium-NOTA complex

“…Recent advances in inorganic chemistry have supported development of a wide range of technologies based on rare-earth elements (Sc, Y, La, and lanthanides). 1–6 This application space spans from superconducting materials and paramagnets 7–9 to luminescent technologies 10–12 as well as radiotherapeutics and radiodiagnostics. 13–24 To advance the state-of-the-art in the aforementioned rare earth technologies, there is need to develop a better understanding of rare-earth element chemistry, in general.…”