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    Modulation of superconductivity and superhardness in XB4C4 (X=Be,B,Al,Si,P, and Ti) borocarbides at ambient pressure

    Qiwen Jiang1, Zihao Huo1, Zhengtao Liu1, Ling Chen1, Tiancheng Ma1, Shuqing Jiang2,1,*, Defang Duan1,†, and Tian Cui3,1

    • 1Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods & Software of Ministry of Education and State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
    • 2Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
    • 3Institute of High Pressure Physics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, People's Republic of China

    • *Contact author: jiangshuqing@jlu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: duandf@jlu.edu.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 111, 224515 – Published 30 June, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lswp-5cxx

    Abstract

    Diamond and its doped materials have garnered widespread attention for their potential applications in superconductivity and superhardness. Here we introduce a class of heavily boron-doped diamond, XB4C4 (X=Be,B,Al,Si,P,Ti), stabilized by cation compensation. Using density functional theory, we perform high-throughput screening on 67 compounds and identify 6 that are dynamically and mechanically stable at ambient pressure. These materials offer a wide range of tunable properties through the substitution of guest atoms X in XB4C4: regulating the Fermi level and electronic density of states to achieve high-temperature superconductors, and altering covalent bond lengths and strengths to obtain superhard materials. Among them, BeB4C4 hosts a superconducting critical temperature (Tc) of 83 K, with an optimal Van Hove singularity, while B5C4 and SiB4C4 exhibits a hardness of ∼44 GPa. The current research findings establish stable heavy boron-doped diamonds with remarkable properties, paving the way for achieving high-temperature superconductivity and superhard performance at ambient pressure.

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