Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in Layered Transition-metal Chalcogenides (Zr,Hf)GeTe$_{4}$ Explored by Data-driven Approach

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of pressure-induced superconductivity in layered transition-metal chalcogenides (Zr,Hf)GeTe4, identified through a data-driven screening and confirmed by high-pressure experiments, with transition temperatures around 6.5 K.

Contribution

First experimental demonstration of pressure-induced superconductivity in (Zr,Hf)GeTe4 using a data-driven screening approach and high-pressure diamond anvil cell measurements.

Findings

Superconductivity observed at ~6.5 K under high pressure.

Pressure thresholds for superconductivity are 57 GPa for ZrGeTe4 and 60 GPa for HfGeTe4.

Screening identified (Zr,Hf)GeTe4 as candidates for pressure-induced superconductivity.

Abstract

Layered transition-metal chalcogenides (Zr,Hf)GeTe$_{4}$ were screened out from database of Atomwork as a candidate for pressure-induced superconductivity due to their narrow band gap and high density of state near the Fermi level. The (Zr,Hf)GeTe$_{4}$ samples were synthesized in single crystal and then the compositional ratio, crystal structures, and valence states were investigated via energy dispersive spectrometry, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The pressure-induced superconductivity in both crystals were first time reported by using a diamond anvil cell with a boron-doped diamond electrode and an undoped diamond insulating layer. The maximum superconducting transition temperatures of ZrGeTe$_{4}$ and HfGeTe$_{4}$ were 6.5 K under 57 GPa and 6.6 K under 60 GPa, respectively.