The Microscopic Diamond Anvil Cell: Stabilization of Superhard, Superconducting Carbon Allotropes at Ambient Pressure

A metallic, covalently bonded carbon allotrope is predicted via first principles calculations. It is composed of an sp³ carbon framework that acts as a diamond anvil cell by constraining the distance between parallel cis-polyacetylene chains. The distance between these sp² carbon atoms renders the phase metallic, and yields two well-nested nearly parallel bands that cross the Fermi level. Calculations show this phase is a conventional superconductor, with the motions of the sp² carbons being key contributors to the electron-phonon coupling. The sp³ carbon atoms impart superior mechanical properties, with a predicted Vickers hardness of 48 GPa. This phase, metastable at ambient conditions, could be made by on-surface polymerization of graphene nanoribbons, followed by pressurization of the resulting 2D sheets. A family of multifunctional materials with tunable superconducting and mechanical properties could be derived from this phase by varying the sp² versus sp³ carbon content, and by doping.