Zinc sulfide is an inorganic chemical substance with the chemical formula ZnS, one in the common sulfur-containing compounds. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has many applications in numerous areas.
Properties of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is actually a white or slightly yellow powder usually present in nature in sphalerite. Its crystal structure is created through the alternating arrangement of sulfur ions and zinc ions, showing a hexagonal crystal structure. In dry air, zinc sulfide is stable and not easily changed. However, when zinc sulphide is in contact with humid air or an environment containing moisture, it undergoes an oxidation reaction and gradually transforms into zinc sulfate.
How will be the crystal structure of zinc sulfide formed?
The crystal structure of zinc sulfide includes sulfur ions (S2-) and zinc ions (Zn2 ) arranged in accordance with a specific pattern. In the crystal structure, sulfur ions and zinc ions interact together through ionic bonds to form a stable crystal structure.
Specifically, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide may be considered a sphalerite-type structure formed by alternating arrangements of sulfur and zinc ions. Each zinc ion is encompassed by four sulfur ions within the crystal structure, forming a coordination tetrahedral structure. Concurrently, each sulfur ion is encompassed by four zinc ions, forming an identical coordination tetrahedral structure. In this structure, the interaction between sulfur and zinc ions is primarily through ionic bonding.
In addition, within the crystal structure of zinc sulfide, the coordination tetrahedra of sulfur ions and zinc ions are interconnected inside a certain way to form a three-dimensional crystal structure. This structure makes zinc sulfide highly stable and able to maintain a good crystal structure at high temperatures and under oxygenated conditions.
To conclude, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide is actually a sphalerite-type structure formed through the interaction of sulfur ions and zinc ions through ionic bonding, which provides zinc sulfide a series of unique physical and chemical properties and therefore has an array of applications in numerous fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are various methods for synthesizing zinc sulfide, and also the following are the widely used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis technique: Mix the correct level of sulfur powder and zinc oxide, heat to high temperature (about 500 ?), and you can get zinc sulfide. This technique is easy and simple to use but requires raw materials of zinc oxide with higher purity.
Reduction technique: Zinc sulfide can be found by mixing a suitable level of zinc oxide with a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, deadly carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to your high temperature. This technique requires utilizing a reducing agent; the price is higher, but it can get high-purity zinc sulfide products.
Precipitation technique: Mix the correct level of zinc sulfate solution with the appropriate level of sodium sulfide solution, adjust the pH value to your certain range, and get white zinc sulfide precipitate. This technique is simple to use and can be used large-scale production.
High-temperature self-propagation technique: High-purity zinc sulfide powder can be found by evenly mixing the correct level of zinc oxide powder and high-purity sulfur powder and after that heating them to a higher temperature (about 600?) to trigger the self-propagation reaction. This technique requires high-purity raw materials and special equipment, but high-quality zinc sulfide products can be found.
Uses of zinc sulfide
Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has many applications in numerous fields. The subsequent are the main parts of application:
Zinc sulfide powder can be used within the following applications:
Analytical reagent: Zinc sulfide powder bring an analytical reagent for determining the presence and content of certain substances, including for fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, photometric analysis and so forth.
Fluorescents: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various fluorescents, including fluorescent tubes, monitors, X-ray fluorescent screens and so forth. Zinc sulfide powder is widely used as being a fluorescent material due to the high luminous efficiency and stability.
Light conductor: Zinc sulfide powder has good electrical conductivity and optical properties and may manufacture various light conductor materials, including solar cells, photodiodes, etc.
Paint and pigment: Zinc sulfide powder has high covering power and coloring power; you can use it being an additive for paint and pigment, used in the manufacture of all kinds of white paint, zinc white pigment, and so forth.
Laser materials: Zinc sulfide powder can be used to manufacture various materials, including laser crystals and glass.
Optical instruments: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various optical instruments, including telescopes, microscopes, camera lenses, etc.
Catalyst: Zinc sulfide powder can catalyze certain chemical reactions, including alkylation and hydrogenation.
Rubber and plastic additives: Zinc sulfide powder bring an additive for rubber and plastic to improve their properties including abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder can be utilized within the medical field, including to get ready drugs, medical equipment, etc.
To conclude, zinc sulfide powder, an important inorganic material, has many applications in numerous fields. With all the continuous progress of science and technology, its application areas is going to be further expanded.
Just how do the fluorescent properties of zinc sulfide work?
Absorption of light energy: When light strikes zinc sulfide, the zinc sulfide can absorb light energy and convert it into excitation energy for electrons. This excitation energy causes the electrons to leap from the lower to your higher energy level, which puts the zinc sulfide within an excited state.
Emission of fluorescence: When zinc sulfide within the excited state returns for the low-energy state, it releases the stored energy by means of emitted photons. This released photon is fluorescence, and its wavelength is longer than irradiated light. If trace amounts of activators, including Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are put into zinc sulfide, it can emit fluorescence of various colors.
Fluorescence luminescence mechanism: The fluorescence luminescence mechanism is primarily composed of two processes, namely, excitation and radiation. In the excitation process, zinc sulfide absorbs light energy. It converts it in to the excitation energy of electrons, making the electrons jump from the low for the high energy level. In radiation, the excited electrons go back to the reduced energy state, releasing photons, i.e., fluorescence.
In summary, the fluorescence property of zinc sulfide is made by its absorption of light energy and its conversion in to the excitation energy of electrons, which then releases energy by means of emitted photons. This fluorescent property makes zinc sulfide have an array of applications in numerous fields, including fluorescent tubes, displays, and X-ray fluorescent screens.
As an important inorganic chemical substance, zinc sulfide has many applications in numerous fields. By understanding its properties and synthetic methods, we are able to better use zinc sulfide’s advantages and characteristics and expand its applications in various fields. Meanwhile, the continuous exploration of the latest synthetic methods and application areas will help you to promote greater progress within the research and use of zinc sulfide.
Good quality high purity zinc sulfide ZnS powder Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is actually a trusted international chemical material zinc sulfide ZnS powder supplier & manufacturer with more than 12-year-experience with providing super high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.
If you are looking for high-quality zinc sulfide ZnSpowder, please feel free to contact us and send an inquiry.(email address: [email protected])
We accept payment via Credit Card, T/T, West Union, and Paypal. TRUNNANO will ship the goods to customers overseas through FedEx, DHL, by air, or by sea.