ZrSiO4

Zircon · Zirconium orthosilicate

Zircon is a highly stable, insulating zirconium silicate mineral known for its durability and structural versatility.

OSiZr
Crystal structure of ZrSiO4
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About Zircon

Zircon is a robust, naturally occurring zirconium silicate that stands out for its exceptional thermodynamic stability. As a wide-band-gap insulating material, it is highly resistant to chemical and thermal degradation, making it a cornerstone in geological and material science studies.

Its structural versatility is evidenced by its presence across numerous reported configurations in material databases. This stability and durability allow it to serve as a reliable host for various elements, which is vital for both industrial manufacturing and geochronological research.

At a glance

Key Properties

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

Band Gap

3.86–4.15 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, 3 space groups
Synthesis

Synthesis Routes

Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting ZrSiO4.

Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Sol Gel
Procedure available · ceder_sol_gel
Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Uses

Applications

Where Zircon is used.

Refractory ceramicsOpacifiers in glazesGeochronologyFoundry sandGemstone industry
Intellectual Property

Patent Landscape

2 patents reference ZrSiO4 or close compositional variants.

PatentTitleAssigneeGranted
11217968Spark plug resistance element with increased ZrSiO4 phase fraction
5476696White thermal control surfaces containing ZrSiO.sub.4
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is ZrSiO4?

Zircon is a highly stable, insulating zirconium silicate mineral known for its durability and structural versatility.

More questions
What is ZrSiO4 used for?
Zircon (ZrSiO4) is used in refractory ceramics, opacifiers in glazes, geochronology, foundry sand, and gemstone industry.
What is the band gap of ZrSiO4?
Zircon (ZrSiO4) has a DFT-computed band gap of 3.86–4.15 eV across 15 reported structures.
Is ZrSiO4 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a wide band gap up to 4.15 eV it is an insulator / wide-band-gap material.
Is ZrSiO4 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — Zircon (ZrSiO4) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of ZrSiO4 are known?
15 structures of ZrSiO4 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 3 distinct space groups.
How is ZrSiO4 synthesized?
Literature-reported routes for ZrSiO4 include sol gel, solid state (8 procedures documented).
What elements does ZrSiO4 contain?
Zircon (ZrSiO4) contains O, Si, and Zr (3 elements).
Where does the data for ZrSiO4 come from?
ZrSiO4 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a primary zirconium-based silicate, this compound represents a benchmark for stability and structural integrity within its material class, serving as a fundamental reference point for researchers studying high-performance refractory and insulating oxides.

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

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