Searching for Superconductivity in the Z = 4.67 Family

Abstract

Lithium borocarbide, LiBC, a member of the Z = 4.67 family of materials, is not a superconductor. Using ternary combinations of elements that give Z = 4.67 and the material specific characterization dataset (MSCD) scheme, we discover other members of this family. We predict that most of them will not be superconducting and offer an explanation in terms of valence electrons and atomic number ratios. We propose that by appropriately increasing the atomic number while keeping the valence electron count constant, we can transform them into MgB2-like superconductors. We show some examples of such transformations. Alternatively, reducing the valence electron count to 2 while keeping Z constant may lead to high-Tc in the Z=4.67 family.