ZrSnN2
ZrSnN2 is a semiconducting ternary nitride material that is currently studied for its structural properties despite its metastable nature.

About ZrSnN2
ZrSnN2 is a semiconducting ternary nitride that belongs to the broader class of MAX-like phases. Its electronic structure suggests potential utility in specialized optoelectronic or semiconductor applications where nitrogen-rich environments are required.
Despite its interesting electronic character, the compound is characterized by its position above the thermodynamic hull, indicating that it is likely metastable. Its existence across multiple reported structures highlights the ongoing interest in synthesizing and stabilizing this specific nitride arrangement.
Key Properties
Cross-validated computational properties for ZrSnN2, 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 ZrSnN2 is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ZrSnN2, answered from cross-validated data.
What is ZrSnN2?
ZrSnN2 is a semiconducting ternary nitride material that is currently studied for its structural properties despite its metastable nature.
What is ZrSnN2 used for?
What is the band gap of ZrSnN2?
Is ZrSnN2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
Is ZrSnN2 thermodynamically stable?
How many polymorphs of ZrSnN2 are known?
What elements does ZrSnN2 contain?
Where does the data for ZrSnN2 come from?
How It Compares
Within the max phases class.
Within the diverse landscape of MAX-related phases, ZrSnN2 shares structural similarities with other group-IV based nitrides like ZrGeN2. While many members of this class exhibit robust stability, ZrSnN2 is distinguished by its relative thermodynamic instability, placing it in a different regime of synthetic accessibility compared to more conventional members like Nb3Al2N.
Related Compounds
Other MAX Phases in the database.
Data sources & attribution
- latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform
Analyze ZrSnN2 in the Lattice Graph platform
Polymorph comparison, confidence scoring, supply-chain risk, and patent monitoring — across 53 integrated data sources.
Explore the Platform →