Author(s)

Henk M. Buck

Kasteel Twikkelerf 94, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

It has been shown that the recently discovered sulfur trihydride (H₃S) can be considered as a superconductor with a transition temperature Tc of 203 Kelvin (K) at 155 GigaPascals (GPa). This is the highest Tc value reported for any superconductor. The established superconductivity occurs via the formation of a molecular system with sulfur atoms arranged on a body-centered cubic lattice. It has been generally accepted that the high Tc value is the result of an efficient electron-phonon interaction. The responsible substance formed by H₂S under high pressure, may be considered as a compound with H₃S stoichiometry creating an impressive network with hydrogens. We will focus on the hydrogen bonding between sulfur and hydrogens demonstrating a symmetrical arrangement. The geometry of the individual radical compound in relation to corresponding systems will be discussed. Ab initio calculations based on a linear three-center two-, three- and four-electron type of bonding clearly visualized in combination with the dynamics of the Van’t Hoff concept, as described by us in various papers, give a good description of this exclusive network. We also discuss the superconductivity of related phosphorus hydrides and focus on the stability and geometrical differences with respect to the H₃S system. These differences are significant, demonstrating the diversity in various structures in showing superconductivity.

Super Conductivity, High-Pressure Networks, Proton Bonding, Configurational Transitions in Extended Systems

Buck, H. (2017) A Molecular Description of Superconductivity of Sulfur Hydride and Related Systems under High-Pressure Conditions. Open Journal of Physical Chemistry, 7, 9-25. doi: 10.4236/ojpc.2017.71002.