  Strange-metal behavior observed in the praseodymium-based heavy-fermion
material PrV2Al20 has been tentatively interpreted in the framework of
proximity to a quantum critical point (QCP) associated with quadrupolar
ordering. Here, we demonstrate that an alternative, natural explanation exists
without invoking a QCP, in terms of the unconventional nature of the
quadrupolar Kondo effect taking place in non-Kramers ions. Using a combination
of ab initio density-functional theory calculations and analytical arguments,
we construct a periodic Anderson model with realistic parameters to describe
PrV2Al20. We solve the model using dynamical mean-field theory preserving the
model symmetries and demonstrate the non-Fermi liquid strange-metal behavior
stemming from the two-channel nature of the quadrupolar Kondo effect. Our
calculations provide an explanation for the puzzling temperature dependence in
the magnetic susceptibility, and provide a basis for analyzing future
photoemission experiments.
