Strange-metal behavior without fine tuning in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mi>PrV</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>Al</mml:mi><mml:mn>20</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:ma

Strange-metal behavior observed in the praseodymium-based heavy-fermion material <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><a:mrow><a:msub><a:mi>PrV</a:mi><a:mn>2</a:mn></a:msub><a:msub><a:mi>Al</a:mi><a:mn>20</a:mn></a:msub></a:mrow></a:math> 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 density-functional theory calculations and analytical arguments, we construct a periodic Anderson model with realistic parameters to describe <b:math xmlns:b="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><b:mrow><b:msub><b:mi>PrV</b:mi><b:mn>2</b:mn></b:msub><b:msub><b:mi>Al</b:mi><b:mn>20</b:mn></b:msub></b:mrow></b:math>. 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. Published by the American Physical Society 2024