Zinc sulfide occurs in nature in two crystalline forms: wurtzite and sphalerite. Sulfide ore is the principal zinc mineral. The most important use of Zinc sulfide is as a pigment. As lithopone, a mixture with barium sulfate, it forms a low gloss interior house paint. The "mineral white" dye combines zinc sulfide with zinc oxide. Zinc sulfide is incorporated into phosphors to produce luminescence when irradiated with light. It makes luminous dials, x-ray and television screens, and fluorescent lights. Also, it is used in making white and opaque glass and as a base for colour lakes (which consist of an organic pigment with an inorganic carrier). Zinc sulfide is white to grey-white or pale yellow powder. It exists in two crystalline forms, an alpha (wurtzite) and a beta (sphalerite).
The wurtzite form has a hexagonal crystal structure; refractive index of 2.356; density of 3.98 g/cm3; melts at 1,700°C; practically insoluble in water, about 6.9 mg/L; insoluble in alkalis; soluble in mineral acids. The sphalerite form arranges in a cubic crystalline state; refractive index 2.368; density 4.102 g/cm3; changes to alpha form at 1,020°C; practically insoluble in water, 6.5 mg/L; soluble in mineral acids, insoluble in alkalis. When zinc sulfide contains water, it slowly oxidizes to sulfate on exposure to air. Zinc sulfide is well known as an optical coating material for its high refractive index (~2.35 at 500 nm) and extensive transmittance range from 400 nm to 14 µm. It allows suitable environmental durability coatings in the IR and VIS range and can be evaporated rapidly from e-beam and resistance heated sources. It is used as a semiconductor and in photo optic applications. If you are looking for high quality, high purity and cost-effective zinc sulfide, or if you require the latest price of zinc sulfide, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.
