K16Sn36
K16Sn36 is a thermodynamically stable semiconducting intermetallic compound formed from potassium and tin.

About K16Sn36
K16Sn36 is a distinct intermetallic compound composed of potassium and tin. As a thermodynamically stable phase located on the convex hull, it represents a robust structural arrangement within its chemical system. Its electronic character is defined as semiconducting, making it an intriguing candidate for specialized electronic and solid-state applications. The material exhibits structural diversity, with multiple reported configurations that highlight its complex bonding environment. Its stability and semiconducting nature suggest potential utility in thermoelectric or optoelectronic research where precise electronic control is required. As a well-defined phase, it serves as a key reference point for understanding the interplay between alkali metals and group fourteen elements in solid-state chemistry.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for K16Sn36, 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 K16Sn36, 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P21/c (No. 14) | monoclinic | 1.25 | 0.0000 | -3.340 | 3.99 |
| P21/c (No. 14) | — | — | — | — | — |
| No. 0 | unknown | — | — | — | 1.04 |
| P21/c (No. 14) | — | — | — | — | — |
Applications
Where K16Sn36 is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about K16Sn36, answered from cross-validated data.
What is K16Sn36?
K16Sn36 is a thermodynamically stable semiconducting intermetallic compound formed from potassium and tin.
What is K16Sn36 used for?
What is the band gap of K16Sn36?
Is K16Sn36 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is K16Sn36 thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of K16Sn36?
What is the density of K16Sn36?
How many polymorphs of K16Sn36 are known?
What elements does K16Sn36 contain?
Where does the data for K16Sn36 come from?
How It Compares
As a unique intermetallic phase, K16Sn36 stands out for its thermodynamic stability and specific semiconducting behavior. While it does not belong to a broad, well-defined class of materials in this context, it serves as a critical example of how potassium-tin stoichiometry can be tuned to achieve stable, semiconducting electronic properties in complex crystalline frameworks.
Data sources & attribution
- materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
- aflow — Data from AFLOW. Cite: Curtarolo et al., Comp. Mater. Sci. 58, 218 (2012).
- cod — Data from the Crystallography Open Database. Cite: Grazulis et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 40, D420 (2012).
Analyze K16Sn36 in the Lattice Graph platform
Polymorph comparison, confidence scoring, supply-chain risk, and patent monitoring — across 53 integrated data sources.
Explore the Platform →