Nanopowder Compounds

Zinc sulfide nanopowder is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZnS. Zinc sulfide is transparent and white in color. It is usually produced from waste materials, and it is also a by-product of ammonia synthesis using methane. Zinc sulfide nanopowder is also used as an infrared optical material, transmitting from visible wavelengths to just over 12 micrometers. It can be used planar as an optical window or shaped into a lens. It is produced at a relatively low cost so many of its applications are as a substitute for other materials. ZnS is a gray or off white powder that is insoluble in water, but soluble in acid.

Zinc sulfide nanopowder has been useful in making multilayer coatings for use at a normal incidence that is anti-reflecting in the near-UV and violet portion of the visible spectrum. ZnS has been extensively studied because of its potential applications in flat-panel display, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), infrared windows, electroluminescence, sensors, lasers, and photocatalysis due to its diverse range of possible structures and morphologies, and superior chemical and thermal stabilities.

Several approaches have been explored for the synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles, such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, laser ablation-catalytic growth, and molecular beam epitaxy. Zinc sulfide nanopowder is used as a friction material to carry sulfur; this hardens rotor surfaces and thereby reduces wear. Moreover, ZnS is extensively used in printing inks, UV-hardened systems, powder coatings, adhesives, insulating & sealing compounds, thermoplastic pigmentation, thermosets, flame-resistant plastics and many more.

Zinc sulfide nanopowder nanostructures are interesting entities for catalytic activities because of their remarkable chemical stability against oxidation and hydrolysis. Besides, ZnS is available in abundance and is non-toxic. Therefore, ZnS can play an important role as a catalyst in environmental protection through the removal of organic and toxic water pollutants.