Prediction of Above-Room-Temperature Superconductivity in Lanthanide/Actinide Extreme Superhydrides
Xin Zhong, Ying Sun, Toshiaki Iitaka, Meiling Xu, Hanyu Liu, Russell J. Hemley, Changfeng Chen, Yanming Ma
Abstract
Achieving room-temperature superconductivity has been an enduring scientific pursuit driven by broad fundamental interest and enticing potential applications. The recent discovery of high-pressure clathrate superhydride LaH10 with superconducting critical temperatures (Tc) of 250–260 K made it tantalizingly close to realizing this long-sought goal. Here, we report a remarkable finding based on an advanced crystal structure search method of a new class of extremely hydrogen-rich clathrate superhydride MH18 (M: rare-earth/actinide atom) stoichiometric compounds stabilized at an experimentally accessible pressure of 350 GPa. These compounds are predicted to host Tc up to 330 K, which is well above room temperature. The bonding and electronic properties of these MH18 clathrate superhydrides closely resemble those of atomic metallic hydrogen, giving rise to the highest Tc hitherto found in a thermodynamically stable hydride compound. An in-depth study of these extreme superhydrides offers insights for elucidating phonon-mediated superconductivity above room temperature in hydrogen-rich and other low-Z materials.