High- <i>T</i> _c Superconductors in the Two-Dimensional Limit: [(Py-C _<i>n</i> H _{2 <i>n</i> +1} ) ₂ HgI ₄ ]-Bi ₂ Sr ₂ Ca _{<i>m</i> −1} Cu _<i>m</i> O _<i>y</i> ( <i>m</i> = 1 and 2)

Abstract

The free modulation of interlayer distance in a layered high-transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductor is of crucial importance not only for the study of the superconducting mechanism but also for the practical application of high-Tc superconducting materials. Two-dimensional (2D) superconductors were achieved by intercalating a long-chain organic compound into bismuth-based high-Tc cuprates. Although the intercalation of the organic chain increased the interlayer distance remarkably, to tens of angstroms, the superconducting transition temperature of the intercalate was nearly the same as that of the pristine material, suggesting the 2D nature of the high-Tc superconductivity.