CaNa2Si

CaNa2Si is a rare, semiconducting ternary compound of calcium, sodium, and silicon that exhibits metastable characteristics.

CaNaSi
Crystal structure of CaNa2Si
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About CaNa2Si

CaNa2Si is a ternary compound composed of calcium, sodium, and silicon. As a semiconducting material, it represents a unique combination of alkaline earth, alkali, and metalloid elements that challenges conventional bonding models in solid-state chemistry. Its electronic structure suggests potential for specialized applications in electronic or optoelectronic research.

Because this compound exists above the thermodynamic hull, it is considered metastable or unstable under standard conditions. Its existence across multiple reported structures indicates that while it may be difficult to synthesize and maintain, it remains a subject of interest for researchers investigating complex phase spaces and unconventional chemical stability.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for CaNa2Si, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

0.15 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.198 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

Above hull
2 DFT sources

Structures

5
3 databases, 1 space group
Uses

Applications

Where CaNa2Si is used.

Solid-state chemistry researchSemiconductor materials developmentPhase stability studies
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about CaNa2Si, answered from cross-validated data.

What is CaNa2Si?

CaNa2Si is a rare, semiconducting ternary compound of calcium, sodium, and silicon that exhibits metastable characteristics.

More questions
What is CaNa2Si used for?
CaNa2Si is used in solid-state chemistry research, semiconductor materials development, and phase stability studies.
What is the band gap of CaNa2Si?
CaNa2Si has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.15 eV across 5 reported structures.
Is CaNa2Si a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 0.15 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is CaNa2Si thermodynamically stable?
CaNa2Si has a lowest energy above hull of 0.198 eV/atom (above hull).
How many polymorphs of CaNa2Si are known?
5 structures of CaNa2Si are reported across 3 databases, spanning 1 distinct space group.
What elements does CaNa2Si contain?
CaNa2Si contains Ca, Na, and Si (3 elements).
Where does the data for CaNa2Si come from?
CaNa2Si data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a unique ternary phase, CaNa2Si occupies a distinct position in materials science where its semiconducting nature sets it apart from more common binary silicides. Without direct structural siblings, it serves as an important case study for understanding how alkali and alkaline earth metals interact with silicon to form complex, non-equilibrium frameworks.

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

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