NaNO3

Sodium nitrate · Chile saltpeter, Soda niter

Sodium nitrate is a stable, insulating salt widely utilized as a source of nitrogen in fertilizers and as a functional component in industrial thermal storage.

NNaO
Crystal structure of NaNO3
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate is a thermodynamically stable inorganic compound that exhibits wide-band-gap insulating behavior. Its structural versatility is highlighted by its presence in numerous reported configurations across multiple databases, reflecting its fundamental importance in chemical research and industrial applications.

As a key nitrogen-bearing material, it serves as a vital precursor in various chemical syntheses. Its stable nature makes it a reliable component in high-temperature thermal storage systems and agricultural chemistry, where its solubility and chemical properties are leveraged for efficient nutrient delivery.

At a glance

Key Properties

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

Band Gap

2.57–3.57 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

17
3 databases, 3 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Sodium nitrate is used.

Fertilizer productionGlass manufacturingHeat transfer fluidsPyrotechnicsFood preservation
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sodium nitrate, answered from cross-validated data.

What is NaNO3?

Sodium nitrate is a stable, insulating salt widely utilized as a source of nitrogen in fertilizers and as a functional component in industrial thermal storage.

More questions
What is NaNO3 used for?
Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) is used in fertilizer production, glass manufacturing, heat transfer fluids, pyrotechnics, and food preservation.
What is the band gap of NaNO3?
Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) has a DFT-computed band gap of 2.57–3.57 eV across 17 reported structures.
Is NaNO3 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a wide band gap up to 3.57 eV it is an insulator / wide-band-gap material.
Is NaNO3 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of NaNO3 are known?
17 structures of NaNO3 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 3 distinct space groups.
What elements does NaNO3 contain?
Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) contains N, Na, and O (3 elements).
Where does the data for NaNO3 come from?
NaNO3 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a prominent and widely utilized nitrate salt, this compound serves as a benchmark for stability and performance within its chemical class, setting the standard for ionic solids used in industrial thermal and agricultural applications.

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

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