Chemical Precursors to Zinc Sulfide: ZnS Whisker Synthesis
Abstract
Currently, Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) derived zinc sulfide is one of the most widely used infrared optical window materials. Unfortunately, for numerous applications it does not possess optimum mechanical properties. To fabricate infrared transmitting ZnS/ZnS composites requires the development of high aspect ratio, micron sized ZnS whiskers. Although larger ZnS single crystals and whiskers have been made by a variety of high temperature route, alternative routes have been sought for greater ZnS whisker morphology control. Low temperature organometallic routes are attractive for this purpose. The precursor compound used in this study is the known pentameric species (EtZn(SBut))5. One of the most successful routes involves the reaction of (EtZn(SBU superscript t))5 with hydrogen sulfide at ambient or sub-ambient temperature to yield a precipitate which is subsequently heated under flowing H2S at 500 C to yield a mixture of sub-micron particles and single-crystal ZnS whiskers. Transmission electron micrographs of the (EtZn(SBU superscript t))5 products indicate that the ZnS morphology is critically dependent upon the rate of H2S reaction. Corresponding x-ray/electron diffraction, electron microscopy, elemental analysis, NMR and infrared spectroscopies have been conducted. A summary of the chemical methods, product characterization results, and proposed synthesis mechanisms will be presented. Keywords: Ethyl radicals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 11, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197262
Entities
People
- C. G. Pantano
- C. L. Czekaj
- G. L. Geoffroy
- M. S. Rau
- T. A. Guiton
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University