Zinkcarbiden

Zinkcarbiden is the proposed name for an inorganic compound consisting of zinc and carbon. It has appeared in theoretical discussions of metal carbides and in speculative literature as a zinc carbide-like material. There is no peer-reviewed evidence of a confirmed synthesis or a stable, well-characterized phase, and the exact stoichiometry and crystal structure remain unsettled.

In theoretical models, zinkcarbiden is expected to form a covalent network involving zinc cations coordinated to carbon anions, potentially adopting zinc blende or wurtzite-like motifs depending on pressure and synthesis conditions. Predicted properties typically associated with group 12 metal carbides include high hardness, excellent thermal stability, and a wide band gap, which would be attractive for high-temperature electronics and protective coatings. However, these properties are speculative until validated experimentally.

Synthesis and verification: No reproducible synthesis has been reported in the refereed literature. Proposed routes include high-temperature solid-state reactions between zinc sources and carbon under controlled atmospheres, chemical vapor deposition or plasma-assisted methods, but none have yielded confirmed material. Safety: Because the material is unconfirmed, specific hazard data are not established; but related zinc compounds and carbides can pose inhalation risks and ignition hazards for fine powders; standard laboratory safety applies when handling powders.

Impact and status: The concept remains part of theoretical discussions about metal carbides rather than an established compound; if realized it could motivate research in coatings and electronics, but at present it is not used in any application.