Novel structures and superconductivities of calcium–lithium alloys at high pressures: A first-principles study

Exposing a material to high pressures can fundamentally influence its crystal and electronic structure, leading to the formation of new materials with unique physical and chemical properties. Here, we have conducted a systematic search for Ca–Li alloys by using a global minima search based on particle-swarm optimization algorithm in combination with density functional theory calculations. We predict that Calcium and Lithium with a high Ca composition CaLi, Ca₂Li and Ca₃Li exist, and a strikingly decomposition-combination-decomposition oscillating behavior with pressure is revealed. All predicted Ca–Li compounds are metallic and good electron–phonon superconductors with transition temperatures (T_c) of around 8–19 K. The superconductivity mainly originates from the low-energy Ca vibrations and the pressure dependence of T_c is dominated by the phonon softening/hardening. - Highlights: • Three high Ca compositions of CaLi, Ca₂Li, and Ca₃Li alloys have been predicted. • High superconducting temperatures were predicted for Ca–Li alloys at high pressures. • The origin of the superconductivity is revealed. • The superconducting temperature increases with increasing pressures for Fd-3m CaLi. • The Fd-3m phase of CaLi is a potential high-temperature superconductor.