# Electron doped layered nickelates: spanning the phase diagram of the cuprates

## TL;DR

This study uses ab initio calculations to show that Ce-doped layered nickelates mimic the electronic structure of cuprates' antiferromagnetic insulating phase, indicating potential for superconductivity at specific doping levels.

## Contribution

It demonstrates the stability and electronic similarity of Ce-doped nickelates to cuprates, proposing a new pathway to explore superconductivity in nickel-based oxides.

## Key findings

- Ce-doped Pr4Ni3O8 has cuprate-like electronic structure.
- Substantial Ce-doping is thermodynamically stable.
- Intermediate doping levels near 1/8 may host superconductivity.

## Abstract

Pr$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$ is an overdoped analog of hole-doped layered cuprates. Here we show via ab initio calculations that Ce-doped Pr$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$ (Pr$_3$CeNi$_3$O$_8$) has the same electronic structure as the antiferromagnetic insulating phase of parent cuprates. We find that substantial Ce-doping should be thermodynamically stable and that other 4+ cations would yield a similar antiferromagnetic insulating state, arguing this configuration is robust for layered nickelates of low enough valence. The analogies with cuprates at different $d$ fillings suggest that intermediate Ce-doping concentrations near 1/8 should be an appropriate place to search for superconductivity in these low-valence Ni oxides.