Ca8Ge4S16

Ca8Ge4S16 is a thermodynamically stable, semiconducting ternary sulfide that exhibits significant structural diversity.

CaGeS
Crystal structure of Ca8Ge4S16
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Ca8Ge4S16

Ca8Ge4S16 is a complex ternary sulfide composed of calcium, germanium, and sulfur. As a thermodynamically stable material situated on the convex hull, it represents a robust structural arrangement that resists decomposition under standard conditions. Its electronic character is defined as semiconducting, making it a subject of interest for researchers investigating the interplay between structural complexity and electronic behavior in chalcogenide systems. The compound is characterized by a high degree of structural diversity, as evidenced by multiple reported configurations across various databases. This structural flexibility suggests that Ca8Ge4S16 may offer tunable properties depending on its specific crystalline arrangement, which is a critical factor for its potential integration into functional electronic or optoelectronic devices.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Ca8Ge4S16, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

2.53 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

4
3 databases, 1 space group
Uses

Applications

Where Ca8Ge4S16 is used.

Semiconductor researchSolid-state chemistryMaterials science exploration
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ca8Ge4S16, answered from cross-validated data.

What is Ca8Ge4S16?

Ca8Ge4S16 is a thermodynamically stable, semiconducting ternary sulfide that exhibits significant structural diversity.

More questions
What is Ca8Ge4S16 used for?
Ca8Ge4S16 is used in semiconductor research, solid-state chemistry, and materials science exploration.
What is the band gap of Ca8Ge4S16?
Ca8Ge4S16 has a DFT-computed band gap of 2.53 eV across 4 reported structures.
Is Ca8Ge4S16 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 2.53 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is Ca8Ge4S16 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Ca8Ge4S16 sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of Ca8Ge4S16 are known?
4 structures of Ca8Ge4S16 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 1 distinct space group.
What elements does Ca8Ge4S16 contain?
Ca8Ge4S16 contains Ca, Ge, and S (3 elements).
Where does the data for Ca8Ge4S16 come from?
Ca8Ge4S16 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a member of the broader family of calcium-germanium-sulfur compounds, Ca8Ge4S16 stands out due to its confirmed thermodynamic stability. While many complex chalcogenides require specific synthesis conditions to maintain their integrity, this compound occupies a favorable energy state that ensures its persistence. It serves as a foundational example of how ternary sulfides can achieve structural stability while maintaining semiconducting properties, providing a benchmark for exploring other, less stable phases within the same chemical space.

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

Analyze Ca8Ge4S16 in the Lattice Graph platform

Polymorph comparison, confidence scoring, supply-chain risk, and patent monitoring — across 53 integrated data sources.

Explore the Platform →