INTERCALATION ROUTE TO NEW SUPERCONDUCTING AND INSULATING HYBRID SYSTEMS, M-X-BI2SR2CAN-1CUNOY (M = HG,AG X = BR,I PY = PYRIDINE N = 1,2)

We have systematically applied the intercalation technique to the laye red superconducting oxides in order not only to develop a new high-T-c superconducting nanohybrid, but also to investigate the mechanism res ponsible for high-T-c superconductivity. In the light of the Lewis aci d-base concept, we have recently synthesized new types of high-T-c sup erconducting intercalation compounds: M-X-Bi2Sr2Can-1,Cu-n,O-y (M = Hg ,Ag; X = Br,I; n = 1,2). According to X-ray absorption spectroscopic a nalysis, intercalated HgX2 is stabilized in a molecular form with line ar symmetry, which is the first example of molecular HgX2 in a solid m atrix, and the intercalated AgI has an alpha-AgI-like structure with d istorted tetrahedral symmetry, which is consistent with the significan t rapid ionic conductivity of AgI-intercalate in the temperature domai n 25-300 degrees C. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .