Transparent and Luminescent ZnS Ceramics Consolidated by Vacuum Hot Pressing Method

Abstract

In this study, ZnS powders with homogeneous morphology were synthesized using a colloidal processing method. Vacuum hot pressing was subsequently applied to consolidate the ZnS powders into infrared transparent ceramics (77.3% transmittance at wavelengths of 6.74 and 9.29 μm). The phase composition of the sintered ZnS suggests the presence of wurtzite as a minor phase in addition to the primary sphalerite phase, and microstructural analysis indicates that the ceramics are highly densified. It has been found that the VHP‐sintered ZnS ceramics exhibit blue (450 nm) and green (530 nm) luminescence, which is due to the formation of zinc vacancies and sulfur interstitials, respectively, during the sintering process.