Zirconium dodecaboride, a novel superconducting material with enhanced surface characteristics

Mikhail Belogolovskii*, Israel Felner, Vladimir Shaternik

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The paper gives a short overview of electronic characteristics of ZrB 12 single crystals in normal and superconducting states. First-principles calculations of the electronic structure and charge density redistribution reveal that zirconium dodecaboride belongs to the class of 'covalent metals' with itinerant electronic states at the Fermi energy composed by weakly hybridized 2p orbitals of B atoms and 4d levels of Zr atoms and strong covalent bonding between nearest intra- and inter-cluster boron atoms. Our recent magnetic and tunneling measurements have revealed an enhancement of superconducting properties at the surface of ZrB12 comparing with its bulk. Relevant data of some other groups support our conclusion that this material as a first known superconductor with a native near-surface enhanced order parameter.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBoron Rich Solids
Subtitle of host publicationSensors, Ultra High Temperature Ceramics, Thermoelectrics, Armor
EditorsNina Orlovskaya
Pages195-206
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Publication series

NameNATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics
ISSN (Print)1874-6500

Keywords

  • electronic properties
  • first-principles calculations
  • superconductivity
  • surface characteristics
  • Zirconium dodecaboride

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