SmF3

Samarium(III) fluoride · Samarium trifluoride

Samarium(III) fluoride is a stable, insulating rare-earth compound primarily utilized in optical and specialized glass manufacturing.

FSm
Crystal structure of SmF3
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Samarium(III) fluoride

Samarium(III) fluoride is a robust inorganic compound characterized by its insulating electronic nature and high thermodynamic stability. As a member of the rare-earth fluoride family, it maintains a stable crystal structure that makes it a reliable candidate for high-performance material applications.

Its properties as a wide-band-gap material allow it to function effectively in environments where electronic transparency and chemical resistance are required. The compound is frequently utilized in the synthesis of specialized optical components and as a precursor in the development of advanced fluoride-based glasses.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for Samarium(III) fluoride, aggregated across 4 databases.

Band Gap

5.44–7.73 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

8
4 databases, 5 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where Samarium(III) fluoride is used.

Optical coatingsFluoride glass productionLaser materialsPhosphor host lattices
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Samarium(III) fluoride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is SmF3?

Samarium(III) fluoride is a stable, insulating rare-earth compound primarily utilized in optical and specialized glass manufacturing.

More questions
What is SmF3 used for?
Samarium(III) fluoride (SmF3) is used in optical coatings, fluoride glass production, laser materials, and phosphor host lattices.
What is the band gap of SmF3?
Samarium(III) fluoride (SmF3) has a DFT-computed band gap of 5.44–7.73 eV across 8 reported structures.
Is SmF3 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a wide band gap up to 7.73 eV it is an insulator / wide-band-gap material.
Is SmF3 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Samarium(III) fluoride (SmF3) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of SmF3 are known?
8 structures of SmF3 are reported across 4 databases, spanning 5 distinct space groups.
What elements does SmF3 contain?
Samarium(III) fluoride (SmF3) contains F and Sm (2 elements).
Where does the data for SmF3 come from?
SmF3 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a stable rare-earth halide, SmF3 occupies a significant role in the broader class of lanthanide trifluorides. It is valued for its structural consistency and predictable insulating behavior, which allows it to serve as a foundational material for optical and electronic thin-film applications where chemical inertness is paramount.

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

Analyze SmF3 in the Lattice Graph platform

Polymorph comparison, confidence scoring, supply-chain risk, and patent monitoring — across 53 integrated data sources.

Explore the Platform →