Superhard and Superconductive Nondiamond-like BC Structure

Abstract Diamond-like B-C compounds exhibit the favorable properties of high hardness and superconductivity. The explorations for novel B-C phases are kept on going and it was desirable to explore whether the diamond-like structure can still exist stably or not when the content of boron increases. Herein we predicted a nondiamond-like structure t2-BC took place the lowest energy position of the diamond-like structure, which is completely different from the BCx (x ≥ 2) system. Based on elastic constants and phonon dispersion calculations, the mechanical and dynamic stability of t2-BC were confirmed. Furthermore, hardness and electron–phonon calculations reveal that t2-BC is superhard (Hv = 55.4 GPa) and superconductive with superconducting critical temperature reaching 6.4 K. These results have practical significance for the experimental synthesis of diamond and nondiamond like B-C compounds.