22205-45-4

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Questions And Answer

• Chemical Properties

  Copper(I) sulfide, Cu2S, [22205-45-4], MW 159.15, is naturally occurring as the blue or gray mineral chalcocite, [21112-20-9]. Copper(I) sulfide or copper glance is insoluble in water but decomposes in nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid.
  
  Copper(I) sulfide is prepared by heating mixtures of copper and sulfur in a hydrogen atmosphere or by precipitation of a copper(II) ammine salt solution with hydrogen sulfide or alkali sulfides. It is used in lubricants, solar cells, semiconductors, and luminous paints. ;

• Physical Properties

  Dark-blue or black orthogonal crystals; insoluble in water; slightly soluble in hydrochloric acid; decomposed by nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid; moderately soluble in ammonium hydroxide; dissolves in potassium cyanide solutions. ;

• Uses

  Copper(I) sulfide is used in luminous paints; antifouling paints; in solidlubricant mixtures; in solar cells; in electrodes; and as a catalyst.
  The compound occurs in nature as the mineral chalcocite (copper glance) with varying colors. ;

• Preparation

  Copper(I) sulfide is available in nature as the mineral chalcocite. It also may be made by heating copper(II) sulfide with hydrogen, in the presence of small amounts of sulfur.
  Alternatively, copper(I) sulfide may be prepared by heating copper with hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen; or by heating the metal with sulfur in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and methanol vapor. ;

• Reactions

  When heated in air, copper(I) sulfide oxidizes forming copper(II) oxide, and sulfur dioxide:
  Cu2S + 2O2→ 2CuO + SO2
  Heating in the absence of air produces copper(II) sulfide and copper:
  Cu2S→ CuS + Cu
  When heated with nitric acid, copper(I) sulfide decomposes forming copper nitrate and hydrogen sulfide. The compound dissolves in aqueous solutions containing cyanide ions forming soluble copper-cyanide complexes.
  Copper(I) sulfide reacts with polysulfide anions in aqueous solutions forming soluble copper polysulfides. ;

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