Superconductivity in two-dimensional MB4 (M = V, Nb, and Ta)

The study of two-dimensional (2D) superconductors is one of the most prominent areas in recent years and has remained a long-standing scientific challenge. Since the introduction of the new member of 2D material family consisting of transition-metal elements with Borides (MBenes), the study of various properties of 2D metal borides has attracted widespread interest. In this work, we systematically investigate the phonon-mediated superconductivity in 2D MB4 (M = V, Nb, and Ta), by using the first-principles calculations. Starting from the dynamical stabilities of these structures, we perform a detailed analysis of the electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity of AB-stacked MBenes by solving the anisotropic Eliashberg equation. NbB4 has the largest electron-phonon coupling and the highest superconducting transition temperature T-c of 35.4 K. Our study broadens the 2D superconducting boride family, which is of great significance for the study of 2D superconductivity.

Automated summary

The study investigates the phonon-mediated superconductivity in 2D metal borides (MB4) using first-principles calculations. It analyzes the electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity of AB-stacked MBenes and finds that NbB4 has the highest superconducting transition temperature of 35.4 K. The study expands the 2D superconducting boride family, which is of great significance for the study of 2D superconductivity.