Variation of Specific Heat with x and y in NaxCoO2-yH2O/D2O

Abstract

We report specific heat measurements down to 0.4 K on the layered oxide Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot\it{y}$H$_2$O/D$_2$O with 0 $\le$ $\it{x}$ $\le$ 0.74 and $\it{y}$ = 0 and 1.4. For the nonhydrated system ($\it{y}$ = 0), the electronic specific heat coefficient $γ_N$ and the Debye temperature $Θ_D$ vary nonmonotonically with $\it{x}$, both displaying minima when $\it{x}$ is close to 0.5. This indicates a systematic change of the electronic and vibrational structures with Na content. For both hydrated and deuterated systems ($\it{x}$ = 0.35 and $\it{y}$ = 1.4), the specific heat reveals a sharp peak with $Δ$C$_p \sim$ 45.5 mJ/mol-K at T$_c^{mid} \sim$ 4.7 K and an anomaly at T$_x \sim$ 0.8 K. While the origin of the later is unknown, the former corresponds to the superconducting transition. Interestingly, the electronic specific heat, after subtracting lattice and Schottky contributions, exhibits roughly T$^2$ behavior between 0.2T$_c$ and T$_c$. This can be explained by assuming an unconventional superconducting symmetry with line nodes. The results obtained under applied magnetic field further support this scenario.

4 page, 3 figures, 1 table