Microstructural Development in Nano-Crystalline Zinc Sulfide Powders

Abstract

ABSTRACTMonodispersed, spherical, submicron size zinc sulfide powders were previously prepared in our laboratory utilizing homogeneous precipitation by thermal decomposition of thioacetamide in acidic aqueous solutions. Electron microscopic investigations of these powders indicated that the individual particles were agglomerates of 8∼14 nm size crystallites. It has been known that zinc sulfide does not sinter under ambient pressure due to the covalent nature of its bonding, high melting point, and relatively high vapor pressures at elevated temperatures. The heat treatment of these nano-crystalline zinc sulfide powders, however, showed some degree of sintering at temperatures as low as 600°C under vacuum.