Zinc sulfide is an inorganic chemical substance using the chemical formula ZnS, one of the common sulfur-containing compounds. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has many applications in many areas.
Attributes of zinc sulfide
Zinc sulfide is a white or slightly yellow powder usually found in nature in sphalerite. Its crystal structure is actually created by the alternating arrangement of sulfur ions and zinc ions, showing a hexagonal crystal structure. In dry air, zinc sulfide is stable and never easily changed. However, when zinc sulfide zns 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 contains sulfur ions (S2-) and zinc ions (Zn2 ) arranged based on a certain pattern. In the crystal structure, sulfur ions and zinc ions interact with one another through ionic bonds to form a stable crystal structure.
Specifically, the crystal structure of zinc sulfide can be thought of as a sphalerite-type structure formed by alternating arrangements of sulfur and zinc ions. Each zinc ion is surrounded by four sulfur ions in the crystal structure, forming a coordination tetrahedral structure. Concurrently, each sulfur ion is surrounded by four zinc ions, forming a comparable coordination tetrahedral structure. Within this structure, the interaction between sulfur and zinc ions is principally through ionic bonding.
Additionally, in the crystal structure of zinc sulfide, the coordination tetrahedra of sulfur ions and zinc ions are interconnected in a certain way to form a three-dimensional crystal structure. This structure makes zinc sulfide highly stable and able to keep 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 by the interaction of sulfur ions and zinc ions through ionic bonding, which provides zinc sulfide a number of unique physical and chemical properties and thus has a variety of applications in many fields.
Synthesis of zinc sulfide
Currently, there are many techniques for synthesizing zinc sulfide, as well as the following are among the widely used synthesis methods:
Direct synthesis technique: Mix the correct amount 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 use but requires raw materials of zinc oxide rich in purity.
Reduction technique: Zinc sulfide can be obtained by mixing the right amount of zinc oxide using a reducing agent (e.g., hydrogen, deadly carbon monoxide, etc.) and heating to some high temperature. This technique requires the use of a reducing agent; the fee is higher, nevertheless it will get high-purity zinc sulfide products.
Precipitation technique: Mix the correct amount of zinc sulfate solution using the appropriate amount of sodium sulfide solution, adjust the pH value to some certain range, and acquire white zinc sulfide precipitate. This technique is easy to operate and can be used for large-scale production.
High-temperature self-propagation technique: High-purity zinc sulfide powder can be obtained by evenly mixing the correct amount of zinc oxide powder and-purity sulfur powder and after that heating them 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
Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, zinc sulfide has many applications in many fields. These are among the main parts of application:
Zinc sulfide powder can be used in the following applications:
Analytical reagent: Zinc sulfide powder can be used as an analytical reagent for determining the presence and content of certain substances, such as for fluorescence analysis, colorimetric analysis, photometric analysis and so forth.
Fluorescents: Zinc sulfide powder can manufacture various fluorescents, such as fluorescent tubes, monitors, X-ray fluorescent screens and so forth. Zinc sulfide powder is popular as a fluorescent material because of its high luminous efficiency and stability.
Light conductor: Zinc sulfide powder has good electrical conductivity and optical properties and will manufacture various light conductor materials, such as solar cells, photodiodes, etc.
Paint and pigment: Zinc sulfide powder has high covering power and coloring power; you can use it as an additive for paint and pigment, found in the manufacture of all kinds of white paint, zinc white pigment, and so forth.
Laser materials: Zinc sulfide powder may 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 can be used as an additive for rubber and plastic to boost their properties such as abrasion resistance, heat resistance and aging resistance.
Medical applications: Zinc sulfide powder may be used in the medical field, such as to make drugs, medical equipment, etc.
In conclusion, zinc sulfide powder, an essential inorganic material, has many applications in many fields. With the continuous progress of technology and science, its application areas will 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 some higher energy level, which puts the zinc sulfide within an excited state.
Emission of fluorescence: When zinc sulfide in the excited state returns towards 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 quantities of activators, such as Cu, Mn, Ag, etc., are included in zinc sulfide, it may emit fluorescence of different colors.
Fluorescence luminescence mechanism: The fluorescence luminescence mechanism is principally composed 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 through the low towards the high energy level. In radiation, the excited electrons return to the low energy state, releasing photons, i.e., fluorescence.
In summary, the fluorescence property of zinc sulfide is produced by its absorption of light energy and its conversion into the excitation energy of electrons, which then 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 many applications in many 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 a variety of fields. Meanwhile, the continuous exploration of new synthetic methods and application areas will help to promote greater progress in the research and implementation of zinc sulfide.
Top 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 & supplier 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.