Superconductivity in subnanometer Mo6S6 nanowires

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) superconducting nanowires hold potential for advanced applications in quantum computing, single-photon detection, nanoscale electronic devices, and precision sensing technologies. While several 1D superconducting nanowires have been reported, the superconductivity of transition metal chalcogenide nanowires remains unexplored. Here, we use an experimentally synthesized 1D Mo6S6 nanowire as a model to investigate the superconductivity of this nanowire. Our results reveal that a 1D Mo6S6 nanowire with a diameter of around 5Å exhibits unexpected partially flat-band superconductivity with a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) of 3.6 K. The gradual weakening of the d−d orbital electron hopping between adjacent Mo atoms within the Mo6 octahedral cage under tensile strain increases the density of states at the Fermi level, significantly enhancing electron-phonon coupling. Notably, under 5% tensile strain, the Tc of the 1D Mo6S6 nanowire increases to 13.6 K, accompanied by noticeable softening of the acoustic branches. These findings open different avenues for exploring the superconductivity of 1D transition metal chalcogenide nanowires and have broad implications for advancing 1D superconductors.

Source-reported materials — not catalogue approval

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