Crystal Structures Library
Explore real materials with interactive 3D atomic structures
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Spinel
MgAl₂O₄
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (FCC)
Space Group:
Fd3̄m (#227)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 8.086 Å
Structure Type:
Normal Spinel (AB₂O₄)
Coordination:
Mg²⁺: 4 (tet), Al³⁺: 6 (oct)
Applications & Properties
- Gemstone (natural spinel, ruby spinel)
- Refractory ceramics for high-temperature applications
- Magnetic materials: ferrites (Fe₃O₄, inverse spinel)
- Transparent armor and optical windows
- Prototype for many oxide compounds (spinels)
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Perovskite
CaTiO₃
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (idealized)
Space Group:
Pm3̄m (#221)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 3.84 Å
Structure Type:
Perovskite (ABX₃)
Coordination:
Ca²⁺: 12, Ti⁴⁺: 6
Applications & Properties
- Perovskite solar cells (CH₃NH₃PbI₃, high efficiency)
- Ferroelectrics: BaTiO₃ (capacitors, sensors)
- Superconductors: YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (high-Tc)
- Colossal magnetoresistance: manganites
- Most versatile structure in materials science
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Fluorite
CaF₂
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (FCC)
Space Group:
Fm3̄m (#225)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 5.463 Å
Structure Type:
Fluorite (AX₂)
Coordination:
Ca²⁺: 8 (cubic), F⁻: 4 (tet)
Applications & Properties
- Ionic conductors: ZrO₂, CeO₂ (solid oxide fuel cells)
- UV optics and lithography lenses
- Laser host crystals and scintillators
- Nuclear fuel: UO₂, ThO₂ (fluorite structure)
- Model for fast-ion conductors and oxygen sensors
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Cesium Chloride
CsCl
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (Simple)
Space Group:
Pm3̄m (#221)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 4.123 Å
Structure Type:
Cesium Chloride (NOT rock salt)
Coordination:
8:8 (cubic)
Applications & Properties
- Intermetallic compounds: CuZn (brass β-phase)
- Shape-memory alloys: NiTi (martensitic phase)
- High-pressure phases of alkali halides
- Superconducting compounds: CsCl-type structures
- Important structural prototype in metallurgy
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Sodium Chloride
NaCl
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (FCC)
Space Group:
Fm3̄m (#225)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 5.640 Å
Structure Type:
Rock Salt
Coordination:
6:6 (octahedral)
Applications & Properties
- Table salt (food seasoning)
- De-icing roads in winter
- Chemical feedstock for chlor-alkali industry
- Optical windows for infrared spectroscopy
- Model system for ionic bonding studies
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Zinc-Blende (Sphalerite)
ZnS
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (FCC)
Space Group:
F4̄3m (#216)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 5.410 Å
Structure Type:
Zinc-blende (sphalerite)
Coordination:
4:4 (tetrahedral)
Applications & Properties
- Semiconductors: GaAs, InP, CdTe, ZnSe
- LEDs and laser diodes
- Solar cells (CIGS, CdTe thin films)
- High-speed electronics and RF devices
- Prototype for III-V and II-VI compounds
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Diamond
C (diamond)
Crystal Structure
System:
Cubic (FCC)
Space Group:
Fd3̄m (#227)
Lattice Parameter:
a = 3.567 Å
Structure Type:
Diamond cubic
Coordination:
4 (tetrahedral sp³)
Applications & Properties
- Hardest natural material (Mohs 10)
- Cutting tools and abrasives
- Thermal management (highest thermal conductivity)
- Wide-bandgap semiconductor research
- Structure adopted by Si, Ge (semiconductors)