Theoretical Prediction of Novel Ternary Hydrides as Potential High-Temperature Superconductors Under High Pressure

Conceitos essenciais

This research leverages computational methods to predict three new ternary hydrides (Y2CdH18, Y2InH18, and Ca2SnH18) that exhibit the potential for high-temperature superconductivity at high pressures, exceeding the temperature of liquid nitrogen.

Resumo

• Bibliographic Information: Zhu, B., Shao, D., Pei, C., Wang, Q., Wu, J., Qi, Y., & Qi, Y. (Year). Novel Superconducting Ternary Hydrides under High Pressure. [Journal Name].
• Research Objective: This study aims to identify novel ternary hydrides that exhibit superconductivity at high pressures but potentially lower than binary hydrides, using a three-step computational screening approach.
• Methodology: The researchers employed a three-step approach:
  1. Dynamical Stability: Calculated phonon spectra of 115 candidate ternary hydrides (derived from 5 prototype structures) at 200 GPa to assess their stability.
  2. Formation Energy: Calculated formation energies of dynamically stable structures to evaluate their energetic stability.
  3. Thermodynamic Stability: Constructed ternary convex hulls and calculated relative enthalpy differences to determine the thermodynamic stability of promising candidates.
  • Electronic structure, bonding properties, and superconducting properties were further investigated for the most promising candidates.
• Key Findings:
  • Three ternary hydrides, Y2CdH18, Y2InH18, and Ca2SnH18, were identified as potential high-temperature superconductors.
  • These hydrides demonstrated dynamical and energetic stability under high pressure.
  • Electronic structure calculations revealed metallic behavior in all three compounds.
  • Electron-phonon coupling calculations estimated superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) above 110 K for all three hydrides, exceeding the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K).
• Main Conclusions:
  • The study successfully identified three novel ternary hydrides as potential high-temperature superconductors.
  • The results suggest that these hydrides could potentially exhibit superconductivity at pressures lower than previously reported binary hydrides, making them promising for future research and potential applications.
  • The authors propose that strong H-H bonding and covalent M-H bonding (M = metal element) might contribute to reducing the stabilization pressure in ternary hydrides.
• Significance: This research contributes to the field of superconducting materials by predicting new candidates with the potential for high-temperature superconductivity at potentially lower pressures.
• Limitations and Future Research:
  • The study is purely theoretical; experimental synthesis and verification of the predicted properties are crucial.
  • Further investigation into the effects of pressure on the superconducting properties of these hydrides is needed.
  • Exploring other ternary hydride systems and different prototype structures could lead to the discovery of even more promising superconducting materials.

Estatísticas

The phonon contribution of H atoms in Y2CdH18, Y2InH18, and Ca2SnH18 is 64.4%, 74.9%, and 70.8%, respectively.
The estimated superconducting transition temperature (Tc) for Y2CdH18 at 250 GPa is 118 K.
Y2InH18 has an estimated Tc of 113 K at 210 GPa.
Ca2SnH18 exhibits a Tc of 111 K at 180 GPa.

Citações

"The abundant chemical compositions in ternary hydrides bring much more possibility to explore high-temperature superconductors under lower pressure."
"Our study enriches the database of novel ternary hydrides under high pressure and provides insight for future theoretical and experimental researches."

Principais Insights Extraídos De

Novel Superconducting Ternary Hydrides under High Pressure

by Bangshuai Zh... às arxiv.org 11-19-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2411.11674.pdf

Perguntas Mais Profundas

How might the synthesis challenges of these ternary hydrides under high pressure be addressed in experimental settings?

Synthesizing ternary hydrides like Y2CdH18, Y2InH18, and Ca2SnH18 under high pressure presents significant experimental hurdles. Here's how these challenges can be tackled:

Precise Elemental Ratios: Achieving the stoichiometric precision required for ternary compounds demands meticulous control over the starting materials' purity and quantity. Techniques like laser ablation or sputtering can be employed for precise deposition of thin films with controlled composition.
High-Pressure Synthesis: The high pressures (180-250 GPa) needed to stabilize these hydrides necessitate specialized equipment like diamond anvil cells (DACs). Advancements in DAC technology, such as double-stage DACs or toroidal anvil cells, can help reach these extreme pressures more reliably.
Laser Heating Techniques: Overcoming kinetic barriers during synthesis often requires elevated temperatures. Laser heating within the DAC can provide localized heating while maintaining the high-pressure environment. Careful calibration and temperature control are crucial to avoid decomposition of the hydrides.
In Situ Characterization: Verifying the successful synthesis of the desired ternary hydride requires real-time monitoring of the reaction. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy within the DAC can provide structural information during the synthesis process.
Metastability and Quenching: Given the metastable nature of these hydrides, preserving them at ambient conditions requires rapid cooling (quenching) to trap the high-pressure phase. This can be achieved by quickly releasing the pressure or using cryogenic techniques.

Could there be alternative explanations, beyond strong H-H and covalent M-H bonding, for the potentially lower stabilization pressures observed in these ternary hydrides compared to binary hydrides?

While strong H-H and covalent M-H bonding contribute to the stability of these ternary hydrides, other factors could also play a role in lowering their stabilization pressures compared to binary counterparts:

Chemical Tuning and Flexibility: The introduction of a third element in ternary hydrides offers greater flexibility in tuning the electronic structure and bonding. This chemical versatility can lead to the formation of unique structural motifs and bonding arrangements that stabilize the hydride at lower pressures.
Lattice Distortion and Strain: The difference in ionic radii and electronegativity between the constituent elements can induce lattice distortions and internal strain. These factors can influence the hydrogen bonding network and potentially lower the enthalpy of formation, leading to stabilization at lower pressures.
Electronic Structure Modifications: The interaction between the electronic states of the different metal atoms can modify the overall electronic density of states at the Fermi level. This can enhance electron-phonon coupling and contribute to the stability of the superconducting phase at lower pressures.
Hydrogen Sublattice Interactions: The arrangement of hydrogen atoms within the crystal lattice and their interactions with each other can also influence the stabilization pressure. Ternary hydrides might adopt hydrogen sublattices that are energetically more favorable at lower pressures compared to binary hydrides.

If these materials can be synthesized and their superconducting properties confirmed, what technological advancements might they enable?

The confirmation of superconductivity above liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) in these ternary hydrides could revolutionize various technological fields:

Lossless Power Transmission: Superconducting cables could transmit electricity with zero resistance, eliminating energy losses during transmission and distribution. This would significantly improve the efficiency of power grids and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
High-Field Magnets: Superconducting magnets operating at higher temperatures would require less complex and expensive cooling systems. This could lead to advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particle accelerators, and magnetic levitation (Maglev) transportation.
Advanced Computing and Electronics: Superconducting materials can enable faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices. This could lead to the development of faster computers, more sensitive sensors, and novel quantum computing technologies.
Energy Storage: Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems could store large amounts of energy with minimal losses. This could improve the reliability of renewable energy sources and enhance grid stability.
Medical Applications: High-temperature superconducting materials could lead to more compact and efficient MRI machines, enabling faster and more accurate medical diagnoses.