Colossal Density-Driven Resistance Response in the Negative Charge Transfer Insulator MnS_{2}

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Jul 2;127(1):016401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.016401.

Abstract

A reversible density driven insulator to metal to insulator transition in high-spin MnS_{2} is experimentally observed, leading with a colossal electrical resistance drop of 10^{8} Ω by 12 GPa. Density functional theory simulations reveal the metallization to be unexpectedly driven by previously unoccupied S_{2}^{2-} σ_{3p}^{*} antibonding states crossing the Fermi level. This is a unique variant of the charge transfer insulator to metal transition for negative charge transfer insulators having anions with an unsaturated valence. By 36 GPa the emergence of the low-spin insulating arsenopyrite (P2_{1}/c) is confirmed, and the bulk metallicity is broken with the system returning to an insulative electronic state.

Publication types

  • Retracted Publication