MgSb2
MgSb2 is a metallic magnesium-antimony compound that exhibits significant structural diversity despite its metastable nature.
About MgSb2
MgSb2 is a metallic binary compound composed of magnesium and antimony. Its electronic character suggests conductive properties typical of intermetallic phases, though it exhibits a complex structural landscape with numerous reported configurations across various databases.
Due to its position relative to the thermodynamic hull, this material is considered metastable under standard conditions. Its study is primarily driven by the rich structural polymorphism observed, which provides valuable insights into the phase stability of magnesium-based pnictides.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for MgSb2, aggregated across 4 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 MgSb2.
Applications
Where MgSb2 is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MgSb2, answered from cross-validated data.
What is MgSb2?
MgSb2 is a metallic magnesium-antimony compound that exhibits significant structural diversity despite its metastable nature.
What is MgSb2 used for?
What is the band gap of MgSb2?
Is MgSb2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is MgSb2 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of MgSb2 are known?
How is MgSb2 synthesized?
What elements does MgSb2 contain?
Where does the data for MgSb2 come from?
How It Compares
As a member of the magnesium-antimony system, MgSb2 represents a distinct structural arrangement compared to more stable, stoichiometry-optimized phases. While many binary intermetallics in this family are synthesized for thermoelectric or semiconductor applications, MgSb2 serves as a critical case study for understanding the limits of phase formation and structural complexity in non-equilibrium metallic systems.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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