Superconducting properties of Li2KH17 with cage configuration under high pressure

Abstract

The search for room-temperature superconductors in high-pressure hydrides is of significant scientific importance. Here, we systematically studied the Li-K-H system using genetic algorithm combined with density functional theory calculations. At 150 GPa, the stable phases identified are Pmma-Li2K2H4, P-62m-LiK3H3, P-6-LiK3H4, P1-LiK3H6and R3m-Li3K2H, while at 300 GPa, the stable phases are C2/m-LiK3H8, Fd-3m-Li2KH17, R3m-Li2K2H and Cm-Li3KH. Our results revealed that Fd-3m-Li2KH17, featuring H20 and H28 cages, exhibits excellent superconducting properties due to strong electron-phonon coupling, achieving a critical temperature (Tc) of 238 K at 200 GPa. Furthermore, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations indicate that Fd-3m-Li2KH17 enters a superionic state at 800 K and 200 GPa. And hydrogen atoms vibrate at ring vertices and hop between them, creating continuous femtosecond-scale trajectories within the cage framework. These findings deepen our understanding of the various properties exhibited by hydrides under high pressure and provide valuable clues for studying the properties of high-pressure hydrides.