On possibility of superconductivity in SnSb: A first principle study

•Superconducting property of SnSb is predicted by ab-initio calculations.•Electronic properties of SnSb in RS phase shows metallic behaviour similar to SnAs.•Phonon dispersion confirms the dynamical stability of SnSb in RS phase.•Superconducting transition temperature is 3.1 K, slightly lower than that of SnAs.•Calculated thermodynamic properties are also reported.

The electronic, phonon structure and superconducting properties of tin antimonide (SnSb) in rock-salt (RS) structure are calculated using first-principles density functional theory. The electronic band structure and density of states show metallic behavior. The phonon frequencies are positive throughout the Brillouin zone in rock-salt structure indicating its stability in that phase. Superconductivity of SnSb in RS phase is discussed in detail by calculating phonon linewidths, Eliashberg spectral function, electron-phonon coupling constant and superconducting transition temperature. SnSb is found to have a slightly lower TC (3.1 K), as compared to SnAs.