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 several applications in lots of fields.
Structures of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is a white or slightly yellow powder usually found in nature in sphalerite. Its crystal structure is formed through 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 zinc sulphide high quality is subjected to humid air or even an environment containing moisture, it undergoes an oxidation reaction and gradually transforms into zinc sulfate.
How is the crystal structure of zinc sulfide formed?
The crystal structure of zinc sulfide contains sulfur ions (S2-) and zinc ions (Zn2 ) arranged based on a particular pattern. Within the crystal structure, sulfur ions and zinc ions interact with each other through ionic bonds to create a stable crystal structure.
Specifically, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide could be thought of as 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 principally through ionic bonding.
Additionally, within the crystal structure of zinc sulfide, the coordination tetrahedra of sulfur ions and zinc ions are interconnected in a certain way to create a three-dimensional crystal structure. This structure makes zinc sulfide highly stable and able to have a good crystal structure at high temperatures and under oxygenated conditions.
In conclusion, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide is a sphalerite-type structure formed through the interaction of sulfur ions and zinc ions through ionic bonding, which gives zinc sulfide a number of unique physical and chemical properties and thus has an array of applications in lots of fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are numerous techniques for synthesizing zinc sulfide, and also the following are the commonly used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis technique: Mix the correct quantity of sulfur powder and zinc oxide, heat to high temperature (about 500 ?), and you could get zinc sulfide. This technique is quick and easy to utilize but requires raw materials of zinc oxide with higher purity.
Reduction technique: Zinc sulfide can be found by mixing the right quantity of zinc oxide with a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, deadly carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to some high temperature. This technique requires utilizing a reducing agent; the fee is higher, however it will get high-purity zinc sulfide products.
Precipitation technique: Mix the correct quantity of zinc sulfate solution with the appropriate quantity of sodium sulfide solution, adjust the pH value to some certain range, and get white zinc sulfide precipitate. This technique is not hard 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 quantity of zinc oxide powder and-purity sulfur powder and then heating those 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.
Applications of zinc sulfide
Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has several applications in lots of fields. The following are the main regions of application:
Zinc sulfide powder is utilized within the following applications:
Analytical reagent: Zinc sulfide powder can be used as an analytical reagent for determining the presence and content of certain substances, including for fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, photometric analysis etc.
Fluorescents: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various fluorescents, including fluorescent tubes, monitors, X-ray fluorescent screens etc. Zinc sulfide powder is popular 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 can manufacture various light conductor materials, including solar cells, photodiodes, etc.
Paint and pigment: Zinc sulfide powder has high covering power and coloring power; it can be used as being an additive for paint and pigment, found in the manufacture of all kinds of white paint, zinc white pigment, etc.
Laser materials: Zinc sulfide powder may 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 can be used as an additive for rubber and plastic to boost their properties including abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder can be used within the medical field, including to prepare drugs, medical equipment, etc.
In conclusion, zinc sulfide powder, an important inorganic material, has several applications in lots of fields. Using the continuous progress of science and technology, its application areas will be further expanded.
How can 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 some higher energy level, which puts the zinc sulfide inside 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 more than irradiated light. If trace amounts of activators, including Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are put into zinc sulfide, it may emit fluorescence of different colors.
Fluorescence luminescence mechanism: The fluorescence luminescence mechanism is principally made from two processes, namely, excitation and radiation. Within the excitation process, zinc sulfide absorbs light energy. It converts it into 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.
In summary, the fluorescence property of zinc sulfide is made by its absorption of light energy and its conversion into the excitation energy of electrons, which in turn releases energy by means of emitted photons. This fluorescent property makes zinc sulfide have an array of applications in lots of fields, including fluorescent tubes, displays, and X-ray fluorescent screens.
Being an important inorganic chemical substance, zinc sulfide has several applications in lots of 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 brand new synthetic methods and application areas will help you to promote greater progress within the research and application of zinc sulfide.
Good quality high purity zinc sulfide ZnS powder Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted huge chemical material zinc sulfide ZnS powder supplier & producer with well 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 top-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.