Superconductivity of molybdenum phosphides prepared at high pressure

Binary molybdenum phosphides Mo3P, Mo8P5 and Mo4P3 have been prepared at hi gh temperatures and high pressures. The resistivity of the phosphides decre ases with decreasing temperature and sharply drops at low temperatures. The superconductivity is found at around 7 K for Mo3P, 5.8 K For MO8P5 and 3 K for Mo4P3.The T-c of the binary molybdenum phosphides decreases with decre asing density. The compounds Mo8P5 and Mo4P3 are new superconductors. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.