ScN

Scandium nitride · Scandium mononitride

Scandium nitride is a stable semiconducting compound composed of scandium and nitrogen that is primarily investigated for use in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

NSc
Crystal structure of ScN
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Scandium nitride

Scandium nitride is a robust, thermodynamically stable binary compound that occupies a unique position in materials science due to its semiconducting nature. Its structural integrity and electronic characteristics make it an intriguing candidate for advanced semiconductor device architectures.

Researchers have extensively documented this material across multiple databases, highlighting its reliability and potential for integration into thin-film technologies. Its stability on the convex hull suggests it is a promising building block for next-generation optoelectronic and microelectronic components.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Scandium nitride, aggregated across 4 databases.

Band Gap

2.42 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

356
4 databases, 38 space groups
Synthesis

Synthesis Routes

Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting ScN.

Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Uses

Applications

Where Scandium nitride is used.

Semiconductor devicesOptoelectronicsThin-film coatingsHigh-frequency electronics
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Scandium nitride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is ScN?

Scandium nitride is a stable semiconducting compound composed of scandium and nitrogen that is primarily investigated for use in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

More questions
What is ScN used for?
Scandium nitride (ScN) is used in semiconductor devices, optoelectronics, thin-film coatings, and high-frequency electronics.
What is the band gap of ScN?
Scandium nitride (ScN) has a DFT-computed band gap of 2.42 eV across 356 reported structures.
Is ScN a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 2.42 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is ScN thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Scandium nitride (ScN) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of ScN are known?
356 structures of ScN are reported across 4 databases, spanning 38 distinct space groups.
How is ScN synthesized?
Literature-reported routes for ScN include solid state (8 procedures documented).
What elements does ScN contain?
Scandium nitride (ScN) contains N and Sc (2 elements).
Where does the data for ScN come from?
ScN data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a standalone binary nitride, scandium nitride serves as a foundational material within the broader class of transition metal nitrides, often studied for its distinct electronic behavior compared to more metallic or insulating counterparts.

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

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