MgCr2O4
Magnesium chromite · Picrochromite
Magnesium chromite is a highly stable, insulating spinel oxide used primarily as a catalyst and refractory material in industrial applications.
About Magnesium chromite
Magnesium chromite is a thermodynamically stable spinel oxide that maintains structural integrity under demanding conditions. As a wide-gap insulator, it serves as a robust framework for catalytic processes where electronic insulation is required to prevent unwanted charge transfer during surface reactions. Its prevalence in structural databases reflects its reliability and importance in materials science research. The compound is frequently utilized in high-temperature environments where its chemical stability ensures longevity and consistent performance. By providing a stable crystalline lattice, it acts as an effective support or active phase in various industrial oxidation and reduction cycles, demonstrating the versatility of the spinel structure in catalyst design.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for Magnesium chromite, 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.
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting MgCr2O4.
Applications
Where Magnesium chromite is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Magnesium chromite, answered from cross-validated data.
What is MgCr2O4?
Magnesium chromite is a highly stable, insulating spinel oxide used primarily as a catalyst and refractory material in industrial applications.
What is MgCr2O4 used for?
What is the band gap of MgCr2O4?
Is MgCr2O4 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is MgCr2O4 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of MgCr2O4 are known?
How is MgCr2O4 synthesized?
What elements does MgCr2O4 contain?
Where does the data for MgCr2O4 come from?
How It Compares
Within the spinel oxide catalysts class.
Within the diverse family of spinel and related oxide catalysts, MgCr2O4 stands out for its exceptional thermodynamic stability compared to more reactive transition metal oxides like CuO or NiO. While MgAl2O4 shares a similar spinel architecture and insulating character, the inclusion of chromium in the lattice of MgCr2O4 imparts distinct catalytic properties that are better suited for specific redox applications than the more inert aluminate counterparts.
Related Compounds
Other Spinel Oxide Catalysts in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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