Researchers at Ningbo University Investigate Superconductivity of Hydrides under High Pressure

Strategic Insights -

Recent research published in iScience has shed new light on the superconductivity properties of hydrides under high pressure. A team of scientists from Ningbo University employed first-principles calculations to examine the stability, crystal structure, electronic properties, and superconductivity of MoH and MoH under high pressure. The study found that 2-MoH remains stable within the 150-300 GPa range, with a critical temperature (Tc) of 82.9-93.7 K at 200 GPa, which decreases with increasing pressure. In contrast, β-MoH is stable at 50-200 GPa, with a Tc of 60.5-67.8 K at 200 GPa pressure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The majority of existing research on hydrides has focused on main group elements and group III elements, leaving a significant gap in the study of high-pressure phase behavior and functional properties of hydrides of other transition metal groups, particularly those of groups IV and V.
  • The study employed first-principles calculations to systematically investigate the stability, crystal structure, electronic properties, and superconductivity of MoH and β-MoH under high pressure.
  • 2-MoH remains stable within the 150-300 GPa range, with a critical temperature (Tc) of 82.9-93.7 K at 200 GPa, which decreases with increasing pressure.
  • β-MoH is stable at 50-200 GPa, with a Tc of 60.5-67.8 K at 200 GPa pressure.
  • The research highlights the need for further systematic experimental and theoretical explorations of molybdenum-based hydrides.
  • The study has implications for the development of new superconducting materials and devices.

Statistics:

  • 82.9-93.7 K: Critical temperature (Tc) of 2-MoH at 200 GPa.
  • 60.5-67.8 K: Critical temperature (Tc) of β-MoH at 200 GPa pressure.
  • 150-300 GPa: Stability range of 2-MoH under high pressure.
  • 50-200 GPa: Stability range of β-MoH under high pressure.
  • 200 GPa: Critical pressure at which 2-MoH reaches its maximum Tc.

Sources:

  • First-principle study on superconductivity of metastable MoH9 and MoH12 under high pressure. iScience, 2025;28(10):113623.
  • NewsRx. Data on Life Sciences Discussed by Researchers at Ningbo University (First-principle study on superconductivity of metastable MoH9 and MoH12 under high pressure). Electronics Newsweekly. November 4, 2025; p 33.