Structural transition and possible pressure-induced superconductivity in a suboxide
Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 124801 – Published 8 December, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jhbz-8jt4
Abstract
Here we report a structural phase transition and its interplay with superconductivity in the suboxide . Upon cooling through transforms from a high-temperature /mcm to a low-temperature /ncc structure in which La-Pb dimerization along the axis occurs. This transition is accompanied by anomalies in the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity and specific heat. High-pressure electrical transport measurements reveal that hydrostatic pressure suppresses the structural transition and possibly induces superconductivity with a maximum superconducting temperature of 10 K. Density functional theory calculations show minimal changes in the electronic density of states and no gap opening at across , suggesting that the transition is driven by bonding effects rather than Fermi surface instability. These findings establish as a promising platform for exploring the interplay between weak structural transitions and superconductivity.