Copper Sulfide (Cu2S) Description
Copper sulfides describe a family of chemical compounds and minerals with the formula CuSy. Both minerals and synthetic materials comprise these compounds. Some copper sulfides are economically important ores.
Prominent copper sulfide minerals include Cu2S (chalcocite) and CuS (covellite). In the mining industry, the minerals bornite or chalcopyrite, which consist of mixed copper-iron sulfides, are often referred to as "copper sulfides". In chemistry, a "binary copper sulfide" is any binary chemical compound of the elements copper and sulfur. Whatever their source, copper sulfides vary widely in composition with 0.5 ≤ Cu/S ≤ 2, including numerous non-stoichiometric compounds.
Chalcocite (Cu2S) is an important copper ore mineral. It is opaque and dark-gray to black with a metallic luster. It has a hardness of 2 1⁄2 - 3 on the Mohs scale. It is a sulfide with an orthorhombic crystal system. The term chalcocite comes from the alteration of the obsolete name chalcosine, from the Greek khalkos, meaning copper. It is also known as redruthite, vitreous copper and copper-glance.
Copper Sulfide (Cu2S) Specification
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Color
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Dark gray to black
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Crystal habit
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Tabular to prismatic crystals also massive to granular, (pseudo-orthorhombic)
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Twinning
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Common on {110} yielding pseudohexagonal stellate forms
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Cleavage
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Indistinct on {110}
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Fracture
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Conchoidal
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Tenacity
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Brittle to sectile
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Mohs scale hardness
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2.5 - 3
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Luster
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Metallic
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Streak
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Shiny black to lead gray
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Diaphaneity
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Opaque
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Specific gravity
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5.5 - 5.8
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Fusibility
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2-2.5
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Copper Sulfide (Cu2S) Application
1. Semiconductor Industry:
Photovoltaic Cells: CuS is used in thin-film solar cells due to its semiconducting properties and ability to absorb sunlight effectively.
Thermoelectric Materials: Its ability to convert temperature differences into electrical voltage makes it useful in thermoelectric devices.
2. Catalysis:
Chemical Reactions: Copper sulfide is employed as a catalyst in various chemical reactions, including hydrodesulfurization, which is crucial in petroleum refining to remove sulfur from natural gas and refined petroleum products.
3. Pigments:
Colorant: It is used as a pigment in ceramics and glasses, providing a range of colors depending on the oxidation state and concentration.
4. Battery Technology:
Cathode Material: CuS is investigated for use in rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, due to its high theoretical capacity and good conductivity.
5. Antimicrobial Agent:
Biocides: Its antimicrobial properties make it useful in coatings and materials that prevent microbial growth.
Copper Sulfide (Cu2S) Packaging
Our copper sulfide products are carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our product in its original condition.
