Research Projects

Transition metal ditellurides (MTe2) are two-dimensional layered materials with unique structural, physical, and electronic properties. substitutional disorder plays a significant role in modulating these properties. For example, substitution of Nb, Re, and Ir at Mo sites in MoTe2 leads to enhanced superconductivity temperature (Tc) up to 4.1 K and suppressed structural transition temperature (Tt) down to 150 K. Intercalation of Cu or Pd in IrTe2 suppresses structural or charge density wave (CDW) transition and gives rise to superconductivity. NbTe2 is particularly interesting as it exhibits a coexistence of CDW state with superconductivity (Tc - 0.5 K) and unsaturated linear magnetoresistance. However, a detailed understanding of the effects of metal substitution or intercalation on NbTe2 still needs to be explored. Recent reports suggest that Tc increases sixfold for optimal doping (5%) of Cu at Nb sites in NbTe2, then decreases with more doping, resulting in dome-shaped superconducting phase diagrams. This proposal proposes a thorough investigation of structural transitions, the possibility of coexistence of superconductivity and CDW, magneto-transport properties, and electronic structure of NbTe2 upon Ni, Zn, and Cu intercalation (MxNbTe2) and substitution at Nb site (Nb1-yMyTe2).