Superconductivity of various borides: The role of stretched c-parameter

The superconductivity of MgB2, AlB2, NbB2+x, and TaB2+x is intercompared. The stretched c-lattice parameter (c = 3.52 angstrom) of MgB2 in comparison to NbB2.4 (c = 3.32 angstrom) and AlB2 (c = 3.25 angstrom) decides empirically the population of their pi and sigma bands and as a result their transition temperature T-c values, respectively, at 39 and 9.5 K for the first two and no superconductivity for the later. The nonstoichiometry induces an increase in c parameter with Boron excess both in NbB2+x and TaB2+x. Magnetization (M-T) and resistivity measurements (rho-T) in case of niobium boride samples show the absence of superconductivity in stoichiometric NbB2 sample (c = 3.26 angstrom) while a clear diamagnetic signal and a rho = 0 transition for boron excess NbB2+x samples. On the other hand, superconductivity is not achieved in TaB2+x case. The probable reason behind is the comparatively lesser or insufficient stretching of c parameter. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3072719]