Bulk-synthesis of organic superconductors — a possible pathway to applications?

Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF or ET) can be oxidized with Cu(SCN)2 to yield superconducting, microcrystalline κ-(ET)2Cu(NCS)2 . The reaction is achieved either by heating a suspension of the reactants in organic solvents or by ultrasound agitation at room temperature. A similar redox approach was employed for the preparation of αt-(ET)2l3. The formation of both compounds was established by X-ray powder diffraction, FT-IR and ESR spectroscopy. Susceptibility measurements revealed superconducting transition temperatures of 9.5 to 10 K and 7.5 K, respectively.