Zinc sulfide is an inorganic chemical substance using the chemical formula ZnS, one from the common sulfur-containing compounds. Because of its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in lots of domains.
Properties of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is a white or slightly yellow powder usually present in nature in sphalerite. Its crystal structure is actually created 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 supplier is subjected to humid air or perhaps 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 contains sulfur ions (S2-) and zinc ions (Zn2 ) arranged in accordance with a particular pattern. In the crystal structure, sulfur ions and zinc ions interact together through ionic bonds to make a stable crystal structure.
Specifically, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide can be considered a sphalerite-type structure formed by alternating arrangements of sulfur and zinc ions. Each zinc ion is surrounded by four sulfur ions within the crystal structure, forming a coordination tetrahedral structure. Concurrently, each sulfur ion is surrounded by four zinc ions, forming a similar coordination tetrahedral structure. In this structure, the interaction between sulfur and zinc ions is principally through ionic bonding.
In addition, within the crystal structure of zinc sulfide, the coordination tetrahedra of sulfur ions and zinc ions are interconnected in a certain way to make 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.
In summary, 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 provides zinc sulfide several unique physical and chemical properties and therefore has an array of applications in lots of fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are many techniques for synthesizing zinc sulfide, and also the following are among the frequently used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis technique: Mix the proper quantity of sulfur powder and zinc oxide, heat to high temperature (about 500 ?), and you may get zinc sulfide. This technique is easy and simple to make use of but requires raw materials of zinc oxide rich in purity.
Reduction technique: Zinc sulfide can be obtained by mixing an appropriate quantity of zinc oxide having a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, deadly carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to a high temperature. This technique requires utilizing a reducing agent; the fee is higher, nevertheless it could 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 a certain range, and get 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 obtained by evenly mixing the proper quantity of zinc oxide powder and-purity sulfur powder then heating these to a very 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 obtained.
Applications of zinc sulfide
Because of its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in lots of fields. The following are among the main areas 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, like for fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, photometric analysis and so forth.
Fluorescents: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various fluorescents, like fluorescent tubes, monitors, X-ray fluorescent screens and so forth. 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 may manufacture various light conductor materials, like 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, and so forth.
Laser materials: Zinc sulfide powder may be used to manufacture various materials, like laser crystals and glass.
Optical instruments: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various optical instruments, like telescopes, microscopes, camera lenses, etc.
Catalyst: Zinc sulfide powder can catalyze certain chemical reactions, like alkylation and hydrogenation.
Rubber and plastic additives: Zinc sulfide powder can be used as an additive for rubber and plastic to boost their properties like abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder can be utilized within the medical field, like to make drugs, medical equipment, etc.
In summary, zinc sulfide powder, an important inorganic material, has numerous applications in lots of fields. With the continuous progress of technology and science, its application areas is going to 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 coming from a lower to a higher energy level, which puts the zinc sulfide within an excited state.
Emission of fluorescence: When zinc sulfide within the excited state returns to the low-energy state, it releases the stored energy as emitted photons. This released photon is fluorescence, along with its wavelength is longer than irradiated light. If trace levels of activators, like Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are added to zinc sulfide, it may emit fluorescence of various colors.
Fluorescence luminescence mechanism: The fluorescence luminescence mechanism is principally made up of two processes, namely, excitation and radiation. In the excitation process, zinc sulfide absorbs light energy. It converts it into the excitation energy of electrons, making the electrons jump from your low to 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 along with its conversion into the excitation energy of electrons, which in turn releases energy as emitted photons. This fluorescent property makes zinc sulfide have an array of applications in lots of fields, like fluorescent tubes, displays, and X-ray fluorescent screens.
As being an important inorganic chemical substance, zinc sulfide has numerous applications in lots of fields. By understanding its properties and synthetic methods, we could better use zinc sulfide’s advantages and characteristics and expand its applications in different fields. Meanwhile, the continuous exploration of the latest synthetic methods and application areas will help to promote greater progress within the research and application of zinc sulfide.
Top quality high purity zinc sulfide ZnS powder Supplier
Luoyang Tongrun Nano Technology Co. Ltd. (TRUNNANO) is a trusted international chemical material zinc sulfide ZnS powder supplier & supplier with well over 12-year-experience with providing very high-quality chemicals and Nanomaterials, including boride powder, nitride powder, graphite powder, sulfide powder, 3D printing powder, etc.
If you are searching 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.