Zinc sulfide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formulation ZnS, one from the common sulfur-containing compounds. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has several applications in many fields.
Attributes of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is 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 rather than easily changed. However, when zinc sulphide supplier is in contact with 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 consists of sulfur ions (S2-) and zinc ions (Zn2 ) arranged according to a certain pattern. In the crystal structure, sulfur ions and zinc ions interact with one another 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. At the same time, each sulfur ion is encompassed by four zinc ions, forming a similar coordination tetrahedral structure. Within 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 inside a certain way to create 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 a number of unique physical and chemical properties and so has a variety of applications in many fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are various techniques for synthesizing zinc sulfide, as well as the following are the widely used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis process: Mix the proper level of sulfur powder and zinc oxide, heat to high temperature (about 500 ?), and you can get zinc sulfide. This process is easy and simple to use but requires raw materials of zinc oxide rich in purity.
Reduction process: Zinc sulfide can be acquired by mixing the right level of zinc oxide using a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to some high temperature. This process requires utilizing a reducing agent; the fee is higher, but it can get high-purity zinc sulfide products.
Precipitation process: Mix the proper level of zinc sulfate solution with the appropriate level of sodium sulfide solution, adjust the pH value to some certain range, and acquire white zinc sulfide precipitate. This process is easy to use and can be used for large-scale production.
High-temperature self-propagation process: High-purity zinc sulfide powder can be acquired by evenly mixing the proper level of zinc oxide powder and high-purity sulfur powder and after that heating those to a very high temperature (about 600?) to trigger the self-propagation reaction. This process requires high-purity raw materials and special equipment, but high-quality zinc sulfide products can be acquired.

Applications of zinc sulfide
Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has several applications in many fields. The subsequent are the main parts of application:
Zinc sulfide powder is used within the following applications:
Analytical reagent: Zinc sulfide powder bring 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 commonly used being a fluorescent material because of its high luminous efficiency and stability.
Light conductor: Zinc sulfide powder has good electrical conductivity and optical properties and can manufacture various light conductor materials, like 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 could 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 bring an additive for rubber and plastic to improve their properties like abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder can be used within the medical field, like to prepare drugs, medical equipment, etc.
In summary, zinc sulfide powder, an essential inorganic material, has several applications in many fields. Using the continuous progress of science and technology, its application areas will 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 jump coming from a lower to some 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, and its wavelength is longer than irradiated light. If trace quantities of activators, like Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are put into zinc sulfide, it can emit fluorescence of various colors.
Fluorescence luminescence mechanism: The fluorescence luminescence mechanism is principally made from two processes, namely, excitation and radiation. In the excitation process, zinc sulfide absorbs light energy. It converts it to the excitation energy of electrons, making the electrons jump from your low to the high energy level. In radiation, the excited electrons go 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 and its conversion to the excitation energy of electrons, which in turn releases energy as emitted photons. This fluorescent property makes zinc sulfide have a variety of applications in many fields, like fluorescent tubes, displays, and X-ray fluorescent screens.
As an important inorganic compound, zinc sulfide has several applications in many fields. By understanding its properties and synthetic methods, we could better use zinc sulfide’s advantages and characteristics and expand its applications in a variety of fields. Meanwhile, the continuous exploration of brand new synthetic methods and application areas will help to promote greater progress within 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 & manufacturer with 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.