Zn3Cr2O7
Zn3Cr2O7 is a semiconducting spinel oxide that serves as a specialized subject for research into metastable catalytic materials.

About Zn3Cr2O7
Zn3Cr2O7 is a complex spinel oxide characterized by its semiconducting electronic nature. As a member of the broader spinel family, it represents a specific arrangement of zinc, chromium, and oxygen atoms that has been documented across multiple structural databases. Its existence as a metastable phase suggests unique synthesis pathways are required to stabilize its lattice configuration.
This compound is of interest in materials science due to the catalytic potential inherent in its transition metal components. While it sits above the thermodynamic hull, understanding its structural behavior provides valuable insights into the design of advanced oxide catalysts for chemical transformations and surface-active applications.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for Zn3Cr2O7, aggregated across 3 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.
Applications
Where Zn3Cr2O7 is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Zn3Cr2O7, answered from cross-validated data.
What is Zn3Cr2O7?
Zn3Cr2O7 is a semiconducting spinel oxide that serves as a specialized subject for research into metastable catalytic materials.
What is Zn3Cr2O7 used for?
What is the band gap of Zn3Cr2O7?
Is Zn3Cr2O7 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is Zn3Cr2O7 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of Zn3Cr2O7 are known?
What elements does Zn3Cr2O7 contain?
Where does the data for Zn3Cr2O7 come from?
How It Compares
Within the spinel oxide catalysts class.
Unlike the highly stable and widely utilized MgAl2O4 spinel or the simple binary oxides like ZnO and NiO, Zn3Cr2O7 exists in a more precarious thermodynamic state. While perovskite-structured oxides such as LaMnO3 or LaAlO3 are often explored for their robust catalytic frameworks, this zinc-chromium oxide offers a distinct structural alternative that challenges researchers to manage its stability while leveraging its semiconducting properties for potential catalytic utility.
Related Compounds
Other Spinel Oxide Catalysts in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
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