Issue 3, 2020

Metallization and superconductivity in methane doped by beryllium at low pressure

Abstract

As one of the simplest hydrocarbons, methane (CH4) has great potential in the research of superconductors. However, the metallization of CH4 has been an issue for a long time. Here, we report the structure, metallization, and superconductivity of CH4 doped by Be at low pressures, based on first-principles calculations. The result shows that the thermodynamically stable BeCH4 with P[1 with combining macron] space-group can transform into a metal at ambient pressure. This ternary hydride BeCH4 exhibits a superconductivity of ∼6 K below 25.6 GPa. Interestingly, the superconducting critical temperature of BeCH4 can reach ∼30 K at 80 GPa in the form of an a-P1 space-group phase. The charge transfer from Be to CH4 molecules plays an important role in the superconductivity. Our results present a novel way to realize the metallization of methane at relative pressures and indicate that the doped methane is a potential candidate for seeking high temperature and low pressure superconductivity.

Graphical abstract: Metallization and superconductivity in methane doped by beryllium at low pressure

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 nov. 2019
Accepted
11 dic. 2019
First published
11 dic. 2019

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020,22, 1069-1077

Metallization and superconductivity in methane doped by beryllium at low pressure

H. Lv, S. Zhang, M. Li, Y. Hai, N. Lu, W. Li and G. Zhong, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, 22, 1069 DOI: 10.1039/C9CP06008A

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