Environmental response characteristics of epitaxial superconducting La0.8Sr0.2NiO2 thin films

Despite the discovery of superconducting properties in thin films with an infinite-layer structured nickelate has paved the way for exploring unconventional superconductivity, opening up new possibilities in this field. However, the challenges related to fabricating these samples have greatly restricted research in this area. In this study, we successfully fabricated superconducting thin films of La0.8Sr0.2NiO2 and investigated their tolerance to different environmental factors. To analyze the stability of the superconducting La0.8Sr0.2NiO2 thin films, we assessed their tolerance to temperature by examining the peak intensities in X-ray diffraction (XRD) and monitoring the changes in resistance curves at varying temperatures. In addition, we investigated the films’ sensitivity to acidity and alkalinity by immersing them in acidic and alkaline solutions for various durations. We also studied the stability of the thin films under various conditions, including heating in air, heating in a vacuum, exposure to acid and alkali, as well as exposure to the organic solvent acetone solution. Our findings highlight the successful preparation of superconducting La0.8Sr0.2NiO2 thin films and shed light on their stability in different environments. This research provides valuable insights for further exploration of their potential applications and laid the foundation for advancements in the field of unconventional superconductivity.