MgSn2
MgSn2 is a metastable metallic compound composed of magnesium and tin that is frequently studied for its structural complexity.

About MgSn2
MgSn2 is a metallic intermetallic compound composed of magnesium and tin. As a metastable phase, it represents a complex structural arrangement that is of significant interest to researchers investigating the phase space of magnesium-based alloys.
Its metallic nature suggests potential utility in applications where conductive properties or specific structural characteristics are required. Given the extensive number of reported structures across various databases, this compound serves as a key subject for understanding the stability and formation of magnesium-tin systems.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for MgSn2, 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.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for MgSn2, 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2/c (No. 15) | monoclinic | 0.00 | 0.0607 | -3.239 | 5.62 |
| P63/mmc (No. 194) | hexagonal | 0.00 | 0.0664 | -3.234 | 5.75 |
| C2/m (No. 12) | monoclinic | 0.00 | 0.0675 | -3.233 | 5.64 |
| C2/m (No. 12) | monoclinic | 0.00 | 0.0719 | -3.228 | 5.61 |
| P-62m (No. 189) | hexagonal | 0.00 | 0.0763 | -3.224 | 5.79 |
| R32 (No. 155) | trigonal | 0.00 | 0.0775 | -3.223 | 5.63 |
| C2/m (No. 12) | monoclinic | 0.00 | 0.0816 | -3.219 | 5.60 |
| Cmcm (No. 63) | orthorhombic | 0.00 | 0.0836 | -3.216 | 5.62 |
| Cm (No. 8) | monoclinic | 0.00 | 0.0847 | -3.215 | 5.58 |
| Cmcm (No. 63) | orthorhombic | 0.00 | 0.1020 | -3.198 | 5.59 |
| Amm2 (No. 38) | orthorhombic | 0.00 | 0.1075 | -3.193 | 5.62 |
| Cmcm (No. 63) | orthorhombic | 0.00 | 0.1204 | -3.180 | 5.60 |
Applications
Where MgSn2 is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about MgSn2, answered from cross-validated data.
What is MgSn2?
MgSn2 is a metastable metallic compound composed of magnesium and tin that is frequently studied for its structural complexity.
What is MgSn2 used for?
What is the band gap of MgSn2?
Is MgSn2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is MgSn2 thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of MgSn2?
What is the density of MgSn2?
How many polymorphs of MgSn2 are known?
What elements does MgSn2 contain?
Where does the data for MgSn2 come from?
How It Compares
As a unique intermetallic phase, MgSn2 occupies a distinct position within the magnesium-tin binary system, serving as a critical reference point for researchers mapping the stability limits of metastable metallic compounds.
Data sources & attribution
- materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
- mpaloe — Data from mpaloe.
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