Zinc sulfide is an inorganic chemical substance using the chemical formula ZnS, one from the common sulfur-containing compounds. Due to the unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in many domains.
Properties of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is a white or slightly yellow powder usually seen in nature in sphalerite. Its crystal structure is created by the alternating arrangement of sulfur ions and zinc ions, showing a hexagonal crystal structure. In dry air, zinc sulfide is stable rather than easily changed. However, when phosphorescent zinc sulfide is exposed to humid air or even 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 based on 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 could be viewed as a sphalerite-type structure formed by alternating arrangements of sulfur and zinc ions. Each zinc ion is in the middle of four sulfur ions inside the crystal structure, forming a coordination tetrahedral structure. Concurrently, each sulfur ion is in the middle of four zinc ions, forming an identical coordination tetrahedral structure. Within this structure, the interaction between sulfur and zinc ions is primarily through ionic bonding.
Additionally, inside the crystal structure of zinc sulfide, the coordination tetrahedra of sulfur ions and zinc ions are interconnected within a certain way to form a three-dimensional crystal structure. This structure makes zinc sulfide highly stable capable to maintain a good crystal structure at high temperatures and under oxygenated conditions.
To conclude, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide is a sphalerite-type structure formed by the interaction of sulfur ions and zinc ions through ionic bonding, which provides zinc sulfide a series of unique physical and chemical properties and thus has a variety of applications in many fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are various options for synthesizing zinc sulfide, as well as the following are some of the widely used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis technique: Mix the proper quantity of sulfur powder and zinc oxide, heat to high temperature (about 500 ?), and you could get zinc sulfide. This technique is simple and easy to use but requires raw materials of zinc oxide rich in purity.
Reduction technique: Zinc sulfide can be acquired by mixing a suitable quantity of zinc oxide with a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to your high temperature. This technique requires using a reducing agent; the price is higher, however it can get high-purity zinc sulfide products.
Precipitation technique: Mix the proper quantity of zinc sulfate solution using the appropriate quantity of sodium sulfide solution, adjust the pH value to your certain range, and acquire white zinc sulfide precipitate. This technique is not hard to use and can be used as large-scale production.
High-temperature self-propagation technique: High-purity zinc sulfide powder can be acquired by evenly mixing the proper quantity of zinc oxide powder and-purity sulfur powder and after that heating those to a high 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 acquired.
Uses of zinc sulfide
Due to the unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in many fields. The subsequent are some of the main areas of application:
Zinc sulfide powder is used inside the following applications:
Analytical reagent: Zinc sulfide powder bring an analytical reagent for determining the presence and content of certain substances, such as for fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, photometric analysis etc.
Fluorescents: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various fluorescents, such as fluorescent tubes, monitors, X-ray fluorescent screens etc. Zinc sulfide powder is popular 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 can manufacture various light conductor materials, such as solar cells, photodiodes, etc.
Paint and pigment: Zinc sulfide powder has high covering power and coloring power; it can be used as an additive for paint and pigment, used in the manufacture of all types of white paint, zinc white pigment, etc.
Laser materials: Zinc sulfide powder could be used to manufacture various materials, such as laser crystals and glass.
Optical instruments: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various optical instruments, such as telescopes, microscopes, camera lenses, etc.
Catalyst: Zinc sulfide powder can catalyze certain chemical reactions, such as alkylation and hydrogenation.
Rubber and plastic additives: Zinc sulfide powder bring an additive for rubber and plastic to enhance their properties such as abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder may be used inside the medical field, such as to make drugs, medical equipment, etc.
To conclude, zinc sulfide powder, a significant inorganic material, has numerous applications in many fields. With all the continuous progress of science and technology, its application areas is going to be further expanded.
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 a lower to your higher energy level, which puts the zinc sulfide within an excited state.
Emission of fluorescence: When zinc sulfide inside the excited state returns for the low-energy state, it releases the stored energy by means of emitted photons. This released photon is fluorescence, as well as its wavelength is more than irradiated light. If trace levels of activators, such as Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are included in zinc sulfide, it could 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 your low for the high energy level. In radiation, the excited electrons come back to the low energy state, releasing photons, i.e., fluorescence.
To sum up, the fluorescence property of zinc sulfide is created by its absorption of light energy as well as its conversion in to the excitation energy of electrons, which in turn releases energy by means of emitted photons. This fluorescent property makes zinc sulfide have a variety of applications in many fields, such as fluorescent tubes, displays, and X-ray fluorescent screens.
As being an important inorganic chemical substance, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in many fields. By understanding its properties and synthetic methods, we can 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 to promote greater progress inside the research and use of zinc sulfide.
Top quality high purity zinc sulfide ZnS powder Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted global chemical material zinc sulfide ZnS powder supplier & producer with over 12-year-experience in providing very high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.
Should you be 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.
Recent Comments
No comments to show.