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    Pressure-induced superconductivity and electride states in lithium-gallium compounds

    Ting Zhong1, Jiahui Wei1, Jiance Sun1, Xin Zhong2, Li Zhu3, Xin Chen4, Xiaobing Liu4, Hanyu Liu2,*, and Shoutao Zhang1,†

    • 1State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics and Key Laboratory of UV-Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Physics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
    • 2Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods and Software of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
    • 3Department of Physics, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
    • 4Laboratory of High Pressure Physics and Material Science, School of Physics and Physical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province 273165, China

    • *Contact author: hanyuliu@jlu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: zhangst966@nenu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 113, 024512 – Published 21 January, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lf3k-r97c

    Abstract

    Li-based materials have garnered significant attention due to their diverse configurations, engaging electronic structures, and promising applications. Based on first-principles predictions, we identified several unusual stoichiometric lithium-gallium metallic phases under pressure, e.g., LiGa3 and Li6Ga. Strikingly, the LiGa3 with cubic symmetry and Ga6 octahedron is estimated to hold a superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of 6.5 K at atmospheric pressure, exceeding the representative superconductor mercury and the boiling point of liquid helium, deriving from the coupled interaction of Ga 4p electrons at the Fermi level with the low-frequency Ga atomic vibrations. Remarkably, the Li6Ga exhibits pressure-driven structural transitions accompanied by the evolution of interstitial anionic electrons (IAEs) topologies: the zero-dimensional IAEs in ambient-pressure R-3 phase is converted into the one-dimensional (1D) IAEs in the compressed C2/m and R−3m phases, and the 1D IAEs and the valence electrons of Ga constitute a conducting network. Unexpectedly, the coexistence of electride and superconductivity states is uncovered in Li6Ga, and R−3m Li6Ga has the highest Tc (15.2 K at 240 GPa) among Li-Ga superconductors, originating from the coupling between the Li 2p and Ga 4p states and the Li-dominated softened phonon modes at low frequencies. These findings provide design guidance for future exploration of emerging superconductor materials.

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