Phys.org March 22, 2021
Previously a team of researchers in the US (University of Rochester, SUNY Buffalo, University of Nevada) had shown that when a hydrogen-rich compound was squeezed to 267 GPa it became superconductive. In the new research the same team combined hydrogen with yttrium instead of carbon and sulfur greatly reducing the pressure. Two diamond anvils used to create the pressure were placed slightly apart with hydron gas and a sample of yttrium in its solid state between them. To prevent oxidation of the yttrium a sheet of palladium was placed between them. It also served as a catalyst, aiding in moving the hydrogen atoms into the yttrium. The resulting material was shown to be superconductive at 182 GPa (as compared to the 267 GPa in the previous years) but still much too high for practical use. According to the researchers they are moving in the right direction and plan to continue revising their technique to learn more about its potential to create a room temperature superconductive material…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Schematic of a new experimental approach for the preparation of metal films for the synthesis of metal superhydrides. Credit: Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 117003, 9 March 2021