Synthesis, characterization, and thermoelectric properties of superconducting (BEDT-TTF)2I3 nanoparticles

Abstract

The synthesis of (BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ in the presence of two neutral amphiphilic molecules [N-octylfurfurylimine and 1-octanamine, N-(2-thienylmethylene)] leads to single and aggregated nanoparticles of 2 to 6 nm size. The samples contain highly crystalline nanoparticles of the β_CO-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ phase, confirmed by XRD. Temperature dependent resistance and magnetic susceptibility studies evidence the superconducting transition characteristics of the β_CO-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ phase. The I–V curve of a single nanoparticle aggregate, measured using AFM, exhibits an expected semiconductor-like behaviour. Thermoelectric studies led to a ZT of 1.47 × 10⁻³ at 300 K.