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arXiv · 2109.02313

Design and Synthesis of Clathrate LaB8 with Superconductivity

Liang Ma·Xin Yang·Guangtao Liu·Hanyu Liu·Guochun Yang·Hui Wang·Jinqun Cai·Mi Zhou·Hongbo Wang
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Abstract

Boron-based clathrate materials, typically with three-dimensional networks of B atoms, have tunable properties through substitution of guest atoms, but the tuning of B cages themselves has not yet been developed. By combining crystal structural search with the laser-heated diamond anvil cell technique, we successfully synthesized a new B-based clathrate boride, LaB8, at ~108 GPa and ~2100 K. The novel structure has a B-richest cage, with 26 B atoms encapsulating a single La atom. LaB8 demonstrates phonon-mediated superconductivity with an estimated transition temperature of 14 K at ambient pressure, mainly originating from electron-phonon coupling of B cage. This work creates a prototype platform for subsequent investigation on tunable electronic properties through the choice of captured atoms.

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Liang Ma, Xin Yang, Guangtao Liu, Hanyu Liu, Guochun Yang, Hui Wang, Jinqun Cai, Mi Zhou, Hongbo Wang. 2021-09-06. Design and Synthesis of Clathrate LaB8 with Superconductivity. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.104.174112

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