Issue 3, 2024

Theoretical study of CDW phases for bulk NbX2 (X = S and Se)

Abstract

In most two-dimensional transition metal chalcogenides, the superconducting phase coexists with the charge density wave (CDW) phase. There exists at least one case, i.e. bulk 2H-NbS2, that does not conform to this picture. Scientists have shown great interest in trying to experimentally find the CDW phase of bulk NbS2 since 1975. Is there any theoretically more stable thermodynamic state than its higher-temperature metal phase, especially in the case of charge injection? Theoretically more stable CDW bulk configurations (TC for 2H-NbS2 and TTs for 2H-NbSe2) with partial pseudo energy gaps were predicted through the harmonic phonon softening theory and first-principles calculations. The ratios of larger to smaller pseudo gaps around KH segment in the Brillouin zone for CDW phases are basically equal to those of superconductivity phases for bulk 2H-NbX2 (X = S and Se). The CDW phase should coexist with its superconductor state below the critical temperature rather than the metal phase for bulk 2H-NbS2. The presence of CDW phase should be more easily observed experimentally when the injected charge reaches 0.5e/Nb18S36 for bulk 2H-NbS2. Our calculations of density of state (DOS) indicated that, during Nb atoms contracting to form the CDW phases with symmetry breaking in the in-plane direction, dominant conductive carriers are always of p-type for bulk 2H-NbS2 while the alternation of carrier type from p-type to n-type occurs for bulk 2H-NbSe2. The Fermi level continuously drops and then the ML segment of the out-of-plane energy band emerges from the Fermi surface, which corresponds to the reversal of p–n type sign. Lifshitz transition of pocket-vanishing types occurs in the out-of-plane direction without symmetry breaking during the geometrical structural phase transition for bulk 2H-NbSe2. Our calculations have theoretically addressed the long-standing coexistence issue of CDW and superconducting phases.

Graphical abstract: Theoretical study of CDW phases for bulk NbX2 (X = S and Se)

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Sep 2023
Accepted
11 Dec 2023
First published
03 Jan 2024

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 2376-2386

Theoretical study of CDW phases for bulk NbX2 (X = S and Se)

H. Du, Z. Jiang, J. Zheng, X. Zhang, W. Wang and Z. Zhang, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 2376 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP04426B

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