Disorder-induced bulk superconductivity in ZrTe₃ single crystals via growth control

Layered ZrTe₃ crystallizes in an unusual structure that consists of both quasi-one-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional features, conducive to the formation of charge-density wave and superconductivity, respectively. Bulk superconductivity up to 4 K in single crystalline samples of layered ZrTe ₃ has been successfully induced through high growth temperature. This procedure induces atomic disorders at both the Zr and the Te1 sites, as evident from the x-ray-diffraction study. As a result, the charge-density wave is partially suppressed without chemical doping or pressurization. The observation helps to understand the peculiar superconductivity of ZrTe₃ and suggests a new path for the induction of superconductivity in complicated compounds with competitive orderings.