GaRh2Ta
GaRh2Ta is a semiconducting ternary alloy composed of gallium, rhodium, and tantalum that is studied for its unique structural properties in the field of platinum-group catalysts.

About GaRh2Ta
GaRh2Ta is a complex ternary alloy belonging to the platinum-group catalyst class. Characterized by semiconducting electronic properties, this material represents a unique intersection of transition metal chemistry and structural complexity within the broader family of precious metal intermetallics. Its existence as a metastable phase suggests it may be a target for specialized synthesis techniques aimed at stabilizing high-energy configurations for catalytic applications. While its thermodynamic profile places it above the hull, the presence of multiple reported structures indicates significant interest in its crystallographic landscape. Such materials are often investigated for their potential to provide alternative surface sites for chemical reactions compared to pure noble metals.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for GaRh2Ta, aggregated across 3 databases.
Band GapEnergy needed to move an electron from the valence band to the conduction band. Lower or zero values tend to behave more metallic; larger gaps are more insulating or semiconducting.
Energy Above HullThermodynamic distance from the most stable set of competing phases. 0 eV/atom is on the convex hull; small positive values may still be experimentally accessible.
StabilityA plain-language summary of the best reported energy-above-hull result. It reflects whether the lowest-energy structure is on, near, or far from the stability hull.
StructuresCount of reported calculated crystal structures for this formula, including alternate polymorphs, source databases, and observed space groups.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for GaRh2Ta, ranked by energy above hull.
| Space GroupSymmetry classification of the crystal arrangement. The number is the international space-group index. | Crystal SystemBroad lattice family, such as cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, or triclinic, derived from unit-cell symmetry. | Band Gap (eV)Electronic gap calculated for this specific reported structure, measured in electronvolts. | E above hull (eV/atom)Thermodynamic distance from the convex hull for this structure, normalized per atom. Lower is generally more stable. | E/atom (eV)Computed total energy normalized per atom. Use energy above hull, not this value alone, when comparing stability. | Density (g/cm³)Mass per relaxed crystal volume, reported in grams per cubic centimeter. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immm (No. 71) | orthorhombic | 0.40 | 2.9251 | -5.045 | 1.04 |
| I4/mmm (No. 139) | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | 12.69 |
Applications
Where GaRh2Ta is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GaRh2Ta, answered from cross-validated data.
What is GaRh2Ta?
GaRh2Ta is a semiconducting ternary alloy composed of gallium, rhodium, and tantalum that is studied for its unique structural properties in the field of platinum-group catalysts.
What is GaRh2Ta used for?
What is the band gap of GaRh2Ta?
Is GaRh2Ta a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is GaRh2Ta thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of GaRh2Ta?
What is the density of GaRh2Ta?
How many polymorphs of GaRh2Ta are known?
What elements does GaRh2Ta contain?
Where does the data for GaRh2Ta come from?
How It Compares
Within the platinum-group alloy catalysts class.
Within the diverse landscape of platinum-group alloys, GaRh2Ta occupies a distinct niche compared to more stable, well-characterized members like LaRh or GeRu. While many of its peers exhibit metallic behavior, GaRh2Ta is notable for its semiconducting nature, setting it apart from traditional conductors in this class. Its metastable status contrasts with the more robust, ground-state phases often found in binary systems like As2Pt or BaPd, highlighting its role as a subject of fundamental structural exploration rather than a standard industrial catalyst.
Related Compounds
Other Platinum-Group Alloy Catalysts in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
- nomad — Data from NOMAD. Cite: Draxl & Scheffler, J. Phys. Mater. 2, 036001 (2019).
- omat24 — Data from OMat24 (Meta FAIR). Cite: Barroso-Luque et al., arXiv 2410.12771 (2024).
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