Doped graphane: a prototype high-Tc electron-phonon superconductor

TL;DR

This paper predicts that p-doped graphane could be a high-temperature superconductor with a critical temperature above 90K, due to strong chemical bonds and high electronic density at the Fermi level, based on first-principles calculations.

Contribution

It demonstrates through first-principles calculations that doped graphane can be a conventional superconductor with a Tc above liquid nitrogen temperature.

Findings

Tc above 90K predicted for doped graphane

Large Kohn anomalies observed in phonon dispersions

High electronic density at Fermi energy enhances superconductivity

Abstract

We show by first-principles calculations that p-doped graphane is a conventional superconductor with a critical temperature (Tc) above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. The unique strength of the chemical bonds between carbon atoms and the large density of electronic states at the Fermi energy arising from the reduced dimensionality synergetically push Tc above 90K, and give rise to large Kohn anomalies in the optical phonon dispersions. As evidence of graphane was recently reported, and doping of related materials such as graphene, diamond and carbon nanostructures is well established, superconducting graphane may be feasible.