SmZn
SmZn is a stable metallic compound formed from samarium and zinc that is frequently studied for its structural properties.
About SmZn
SmZn is a binary intermetallic compound composed of samarium and zinc. As a thermodynamically stable phase located on the convex hull, it represents a robust configuration of these elements that remains consistent across various structural studies. Its metallic electronic character indicates a lack of a band gap, identifying it as a conductor typical of metal-rich intermetallic systems. This stability makes it a significant subject for researchers investigating rare-earth zinc alloys. Given the presence of multiple reported structures across databases, SmZn serves as a foundational reference point for understanding phase formation and bonding in samarium-based binary systems.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for SmZn, 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.
Cross-Source DFT Agreement
How well independent DFT databases agree on the thermodynamics of SmZn. Tight agreement means computed properties can be trusted without re-running calculations.
Agreement ScoreA normalized confidence score summarizing how closely independent DFT databases agree. Higher scores mean tighter cross-source agreement.
Hull SpreadDifference between the highest and lowest energy-above-hull values reported by comparable sources. Smaller spread means less thermodynamic disagreement.
Sources ComparedNumber and names of computational sources with comparable entries for this formula.
Space Group ConsensusWhether independent sources predict the same crystal symmetry for the lowest-energy structure.
Reported Structures
Lowest-energy structures reported for SmZn, 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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | cubic | 0.00 | 0.0000 | -3.319 | 7.53 |
| P-1 (No. 2) | Triclinic | — | — | — | 4.64 |
| C2/m (No. 12) | Monoclinic | — | — | — | 5.97 |
| P-1 (No. 2) | Triclinic | — | — | — | 5.67 |
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | — | — | — | — | — |
| No. 0 | unknown | — | — | — | 1.42 |
| No. 0 | unknown | — | — | — | 7.54 |
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | Cubic | — | — | — | 7.44 |
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | Cubic | — | — | — | 7.29 |
| Pm-3m (No. 221) | Cubic | — | — | — | 7.27 |
Synthesis Routes
Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting SmZn.
Applications
Where SmZn is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SmZn, answered from cross-validated data.
What is SmZn?
SmZn is a stable metallic compound formed from samarium and zinc that is frequently studied for its structural properties.
What is SmZn used for?
What is the band gap of SmZn?
Is SmZn a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is SmZn thermodynamically stable?
What is the crystal structure of SmZn?
What is the density of SmZn?
How many polymorphs of SmZn are known?
How is SmZn synthesized?
What elements does SmZn contain?
Where does the data for SmZn come from?
How It Compares
As a standalone intermetallic compound in this context, SmZn serves as a primary example of how rare-earth and transition metal combinations can achieve thermodynamic stability. It illustrates the structural diversity possible within binary systems, acting as a baseline for evaluating the electronic and physical properties of similar lanthanide-zinc alloys.
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).
- cod — Data from the Crystallography Open Database. Cite: Grazulis et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 40, D420 (2012).
Analyze SmZn in the Lattice Graph platform
Polymorph comparison, confidence scoring, supply-chain risk, and patent monitoring — across 53 integrated data sources.
Explore the Platform →