Copper Monosulfide (CuS) 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 copper sulfide Cu2S (chalcocite) and copper monosulfide 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.
Covellite (also known as covelline) is a rare copper sulfide mineral with the formula CuS. This indigo blue mineral is commonly a secondary mineral in limited abundance and although it is not an important ore of copper itself, it is well known to mineral collectors.
Copper Monosulfide (CuS) Specification
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Color
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Indigo-blue or darker, commonly highly iridescent, brass-yellow to deep red
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Crystal habit
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Thin platy hexagonal crystals and rosettes are also massive to granular.
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Tenacity
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Flexible
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Mohs scale hardness
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1.5 - 2
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Luster
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Submetallic, inclining to resinous to dull
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Streak
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Lead gray
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Diaphaneity
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Opaque
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Specific gravity
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4.6 - 4.8
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Optical properties
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Uniaxial (+)
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Refractive index
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nω = 1.450 nε = 2.620
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Pleochroism
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Marked, deep blue to pale blue
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Fusibility
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2.5
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Other characteristics
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Micaceous cleavage
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Copper Monosulfide (CuS) Application
1. Semiconductor materials: Copper Monosulfide is used in the production of semiconductor materials, particularly in thin-film solar cells. It is used as a photosensitive material in these cells due to its ability to absorb and convert sunlight into electrical energy.
2. Lubricant additives: Copper Monosulfide is used as an additive in lubricants to improve their performance. It helps in reducing friction and wear between moving parts, thereby increasing the efficiency and lifespan of machinery.
3. Optoelectronic devices: Copper Monosulfide is used in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices like light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors. It exhibits good electrical and optical properties that make it suitable for these applications.
4. Gas sensors: Copper Monosulfide is used in the manufacturing of gas sensors. It can detect various gases like hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These sensors find applications in industries, environmental monitoring, and safety devices.
5. Catalysts: Copper Monosulfide is used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions. It can enhance the reaction rates and improve the efficiency of processes like hydrogenation, desulfurization, and oxidation.
6. Pigments: Copper Monosulfide is used as a pigment in the production of ceramics, paints, and plastics. It imparts black or dark blue color and is used in a range of applications, including decorative coatings, printing inks, and coloring agents.
7. Electrochemical energy storage: Copper Monosulfide has been studied as a potential electrode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity, good electrochemical stability, and abundance.
Copper Monosulfide (CuS) Packaging
Our copper monosulfide products are carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our product in its original condition.
