NbI5

Niobium pentaiodide is a thermodynamically stable semiconducting material consisting of niobium and iodine atoms.

INb
Crystal structure of NbI5 (triclinic, P-1 (No. 2))
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About NbI5

Niobium pentaiodide is a semiconducting inorganic compound composed of niobium and iodine. As a thermodynamically stable phase residing on the convex hull, it represents a well-defined chemical state that has been the subject of extensive structural investigation across multiple databases. Its electronic character makes it a candidate of interest for studies involving halide-based semiconductors. The material is primarily utilized in specialized chemical synthesis and as a precursor in materials science research where high-purity niobium or iodine sources are required. Its stability ensures reliable performance in controlled experimental environments, facilitating its use in vapor transport processes and solid-state chemistry applications.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for NbI5, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

0.61–0.94 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

15
3 databases, 2 space groups
Crystallography

Reported Structures

Lowest-energy structures reported for NbI5, ranked by energy above hull.

Space GroupCrystal SystemBand Gap (eV)E above hull (eV/atom)E/atom (eV)Density (g/cm³)
P-1 (No. 2)triclinic0.940.0000-3.7014.83
P21/c (No. 14)monoclinic0.610.0160-3.6854.85
P-1 (No. 2)triclinic0.002.9953-0.7054.47
P21/c (No. 14)Monoclinic4.61
P21/c (No. 14)Monoclinic4.68
P21/c (No. 14)Monoclinic4.65
P-1 (No. 2)
P-1 (No. 2)Triclinic5.91
P-1 (No. 2)Triclinic5.39
P-1 (No. 2)
P21/c (No. 14)
P-1 (No. 2)Triclinic4.93
Uses

Applications

Where NbI5 is used.

Chemical synthesisMaterials science researchVapor transport processes
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about NbI5, answered from cross-validated data.

What is NbI5?

Niobium pentaiodide is a thermodynamically stable semiconducting material consisting of niobium and iodine atoms.

More questions
What is NbI5 used for?
NbI5 is used in chemical synthesis, materials science research, and vapor transport processes.
What is the band gap of NbI5?
NbI5 has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.61–0.94 eV across 15 reported structures.
Is NbI5 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 0.94 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is NbI5 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — NbI5 sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
What is the crystal structure of NbI5?
The lowest-energy reported polymorph of NbI5 is triclinic symmetry, space group P-1 (No. 2).
What is the density of NbI5?
The computed density of the ground-state structure of NbI5 is 4.83 g/cm³.
How many polymorphs of NbI5 are known?
15 structures of NbI5 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 2 distinct space groups.
What elements does NbI5 contain?
NbI5 contains I and Nb (2 elements).
Where does the data for NbI5 come from?
NbI5 data is cross-referenced from materials_project, mpaloe, jarvis.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a distinct niobium halide, this compound serves as a critical reference point within the broader family of transition metal iodides. It occupies a unique position in the landscape of binary halides, offering specific structural characteristics that differentiate it from more common niobium-based compounds, providing a focused model for understanding metal-halogen bonding and semiconducting behavior.

Data sources & attribution
  • materials_project — Data from the Materials Project. Cite: Jain et al., APL Materials 1, 011002 (2013).
  • mpaloe — Data from mpaloe.
  • jarvis — Data from JARVIS (NIST). Cite: Choudhary et al., npj Comp. Mater. 6, 173 (2020).

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