Mg2C3

Mg2C3 is a semiconducting magnesium carbide that exists in a metastable state with diverse structural possibilities.

CMg
Crystal structure of Mg2C3
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Mg2C3

Mg2C3 is a magnesium-based carbide that exhibits semiconducting electronic behavior. Its structural complexity is highlighted by a significant number of reported configurations across multiple databases, reflecting an intricate arrangement of carbon and magnesium atoms.

Due to its position above the thermodynamic hull, this compound is considered metastable. This characteristic makes it a subject of interest for researchers investigating high-pressure synthesis and the fundamental limits of carbide stability in materials science.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Mg2C3, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

1.65 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.172 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

Above hull
2 DFT sources

Structures

11
3 databases, 3 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Mg2C3 is used.

Materials science researchHigh-pressure phase synthesis studiesFundamental solid-state chemistry
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mg2C3, answered from cross-validated data.

What is Mg2C3?

Mg2C3 is a semiconducting magnesium carbide that exists in a metastable state with diverse structural possibilities.

More questions
What is Mg2C3 used for?
Mg2C3 is used in materials science research, high-pressure phase synthesis studies, and fundamental solid-state chemistry.
What is the band gap of Mg2C3?
Mg2C3 has a DFT-computed band gap of 1.65 eV across 11 reported structures.
Is Mg2C3 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 1.65 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is Mg2C3 thermodynamically stable?
Mg2C3 has a lowest energy above hull of 0.172 eV/atom (above hull).
How many polymorphs of Mg2C3 are known?
11 structures of Mg2C3 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 3 distinct space groups.
What elements does Mg2C3 contain?
Mg2C3 contains C and Mg (2 elements).
Where does the data for Mg2C3 come from?
Mg2C3 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a unique carbide phase, Mg2C3 occupies a distinct niche in the study of binary magnesium-carbon systems. While many carbides are highly stable, this compound serves as a critical case study for understanding the synthesis challenges and structural diversity inherent in non-equilibrium phases.

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

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