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    Stability of lithium-xenon compounds at high pressures

    Xiaomeng Wang1,*, Pei Zhou1, Junjie Wang2, Chi Ding2, Qing Lu2, Yu Han2, Yang Ni1, and Zhijie Cao1,†

    • 1School of Physics, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, People's Republic of China
    • 2National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, School of Physics and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China

    • *Contact author: xiaomengwang@nxu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: caozhijie@nxu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 113, 214113 – Published 24 June, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jt1g-6341

    Abstract

    Using crystal structure prediction and first-principles calculations, we show that the Li-Xe system exhibits diverse structural, electronic, and dynamical behaviors under pressure. Lithium-rich phases display electride character, with interstitial electrons dominating the states at the Fermi level, leading to metallicity and phonon-mediated superconductivity with superconducting transition temperatures of approximately 9–14 K. In contrast, xenon-rich phases transition into a superionic state at elevated temperatures, characterized by Li ions becoming increasingly mobile within a rigid Xe lattice before melting at higher temperatures. These results reveal the dual nature of Li-Xe compounds, combining interstitial electron driven superconductivity at low temperatures with ion diffusion mediated superionicity at high temperatures, providing insights into noble-gas chemistry under extreme conditions and potential implications for planetary interiors.

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