Absence of superconductivity in I4/mmm-FeH5: experimental evidence

Abstract

The experimentally discovered FeH₅ exhibits a structure built of atomic hydrogen that only has bonding between hydrogen and iron atoms [C. M. Pepin, G. Geneste, A. Dewaele, M. Mezouar and P. Loubeyre, Science, 2017, 357, 382]. However, its superconductivity has remained unsolved since its discovery. In this work, we have synthesized I4/mmm-FeH₅ at 139 GPa combined with laser-heating conditions. The electrical resistance measurements at ultrahigh pressures indicate that no evidence of superconducting transition of FeH₅ is observed in the temperature range of 1.5 K to 270 K. These results indicate that I4/mmm-FeH₅ does not exhibit superconductivity within the experimental temperature range, and the introduction of iron atoms is not beneficial to the formation of the superconducting phase.