zinc sulfide
C2/TechnicalTechnical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A chemical compound of zinc and sulfur, existing in two common crystalline forms (sphalerite and wurtzite), used in applications from luminescent materials to semiconductors.
Can refer to the mineral sphalerite, which is the primary ore of zinc, or to the artificially produced compound used in various industrial and electronic applications, such as in cathode ray tubes, glow-in-the-dark products, and thin-film solar cells.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always used as a singular noun phrase, even though 'sulfide' refers to a class of compounds. In mineralogy, 'sphalerite' is the more precise term for the natural mineral form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary spelling difference is 'sulfide' (US) vs 'sulphide' (UK). The UK spelling 'zinc sulphide' follows the British convention for sulfur compounds.
Connotations
None beyond the spelling variant. The technical meaning is identical.
Frequency
The term is equally frequent in technical contexts in both regions. The US spelling 'sulfide' is increasingly common in international scientific publications.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] is composed of zinc sulfide[subject] is coated with zinc sulfide[subject] is doped with zinc sulfideVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in supply chain or manufacturing contexts, e.g., 'We source high-purity zinc sulfide for our optoelectronics division.'
Academic
Common in chemistry, materials science, and geology papers, e.g., 'The band gap of cubic zinc sulfide was calculated.'
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in hobbyist contexts (e.g., glow paint) or in simplified science articles.
Technical
The primary register. Used in specifications, research, and engineering documents detailing phosphors, semiconductors, or coatings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The surface was sulphided to form a protective zinc sulphide layer.
- Researchers aim to sulphidise the zinc precursor.
American English
- The surface was sulfided to form a protective zinc sulfide layer.
- Researchers aim to sulfidize the zinc precursor.
adverb
British English
- The powder reacted sulphidically.
- (Highly uncommon; no standard adverbial form)
American English
- The powder reacted sulfidically.
- (Highly uncommon; no standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- The zinc-sulphide coating exhibited phosphorescence.
- A zinc-sulphide-based detector was used.
American English
- The zinc-sulfide coating exhibited phosphorescence.
- A zinc-sulfide-based detector was used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This watch has hands that glow in the dark because of a special paint containing zinc sulfide.
- Zinc sulfide is a common material found in some types of glow-in-the-dark toys and emergency signs.
- The luminescent properties of zinc sulfide, when doped with copper, make it invaluable for certain display technologies.
- Advanced research focuses on manipulating the defect states within zinc sulfide nanocrystals to enhance their quantum yield for bio-imaging applications.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ZINC for the metal, and SULFIDE like 'sulfur side' – it's zinc teamed up with sulfur.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualized as a COATING or a LUMINESCENT SOURCE (e.g., 'a screen coated with zinc sulfide', 'zinc sulfide glows').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'sulfide' as 'сульфид' in a way that separates it from 'цинк'. It is a single compound name: 'сульфид цинка'. The word order is reversed in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'zinc sulfate' (a different compound, ZnSO₄).
- Treating it as plural (e.g., 'zinc sulfides are' – usually incorrect unless comparing polymorphs).
- Confusing the mineral 'sphalerite' with other zinc ores like 'smithsonite'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary industrial significance of the mineral form of zinc sulfide (sphalerite)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its stable, solid form, it is generally considered low hazard. However, like many industrial chemicals, inhalation of fine dust should be avoided, and it can produce toxic hydrogen sulfide gas if treated with strong acids.
Pure zinc sulfide glows very weakly. Its strong luminescence (phosphorescence) is achieved by 'doping' it with small amounts of other metals like copper or silver, which create electron traps that release light energy slowly.
Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is a compound of zinc and sulfur, insoluble in water, used in pigments and electronics. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) is a compound of zinc, sulfur, and oxygen, highly soluble in water, used as a dietary supplement and in fertilizers.
Yes, the mineral sphalerite (also called zinc blende) is the natural crystalline form of zinc sulfide and is the most significant ore mineral for zinc.