Ca3N2

calcium nitride · tricalcium dinitride

Calcium nitride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound formed from calcium and nitrogen atoms.

CaN
Crystal structure of Ca3N2
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About calcium nitride

Calcium nitride is a binary inorganic compound composed of calcium and nitrogen. It is characterized as a thermodynamically stable material that resides on the convex hull, indicating a robust structural identity under standard conditions. As a semiconducting material, it offers unique electronic properties that distinguish it from simple ionic salts. The compound exhibits significant structural complexity, supported by a wide array of reported configurations across various materials databases, which highlights its versatility in solid-state chemistry. Its reactivity and electronic nature make it a subject of interest for researchers investigating advanced nitrides and their potential for specialized chemical applications.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for calcium nitride, aggregated across 4 databases.

Band Gap

0.78–1.42 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
3 DFT sources

Structures

46
4 databases, 10 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where calcium nitride is used.

Chemical synthesisCatalysis researchAdvanced material precursor
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about calcium nitride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is Ca3N2?

Calcium nitride is a stable, semiconducting inorganic compound formed from calcium and nitrogen atoms.

More questions
What is Ca3N2 used for?
calcium nitride (Ca3N2) is used in chemical synthesis, catalysis research, and advanced material precursor.
What is the band gap of Ca3N2?
calcium nitride (Ca3N2) has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.78–1.42 eV across 46 reported structures.
Is Ca3N2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 1.42 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is Ca3N2 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — calcium nitride (Ca3N2) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of Ca3N2 are known?
46 structures of Ca3N2 are reported across 4 databases, spanning 10 distinct space groups.
What elements does Ca3N2 contain?
calcium nitride (Ca3N2) contains Ca and N (2 elements).
Where does the data for Ca3N2 come from?
Ca3N2 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a standalone representative of its specific chemical class in this context, calcium nitride serves as a foundational example of a stable alkaline earth metal nitride. Its ability to maintain structural integrity while exhibiting semiconducting behavior positions it as a key reference point for studying the bonding and electronic trends within metal-nitrogen systems.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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