Classical linear magnetoresistance in exfoliated NbTe2 nanoflakes

Recently, the transition metal dichalcogenide NbTe2 was predicted to be a candidate material of topological semimetal. Here we report the magnetotransport data measured in two devices fabricated from NbTe2 nanoflakes. A nonsaturating linear magnetoresistance was observed in both devices at various temperatures. A close analysis shows that the observed linear magnetoresistance is not consistent with the Abrikosov quantum theory; instead, it can be well explained in the framework of the effective-medium theory which describes the classical magnetoresistance of inhomogeneous systems. Our results indicate that the linear magnetoresistance of NbTe2 is most likely a classical magnetoresistance induced by disorders and inhomogeneities. This speculation is supported by the abundant domain structures observed in NbTe2 crystals in transmission electron microscopy measurements.