Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Monosulfide
Faculty Mentor Information
Darryl P. Butt, and Brian J. Jaques
Abstract
Cerium monosulfide (CeS) has desirable refractory properties such as high melting point (2445 °C) and high thermal conductivity, but it is not commercially available. CeS has been used for high temperature crucibles for molten metals or nuclear fuels due to its non-wetting nature. In the past, CeS has been synthesized using temperatures greater than 1700 oC, which is expensive and hazardous. In this work, CeS was synthesized by high-energy planetary ball milling of elemental cerium and sulfur. The reaction was monitored at ambient conditions, using in situ temperature and pressure. Using a similar approach, CeS was also prepared from a commercially available sulfide, Ce2S3, by mixing stoichiometric amounts of cerium. After CeS was synthesized using both approaches, the resulting powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The CeS powder was then sintered in an inert atmosphere and the thermal conductivity was measured.
Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium Monosulfide
Cerium monosulfide (CeS) has desirable refractory properties such as high melting point (2445 °C) and high thermal conductivity, but it is not commercially available. CeS has been used for high temperature crucibles for molten metals or nuclear fuels due to its non-wetting nature. In the past, CeS has been synthesized using temperatures greater than 1700 oC, which is expensive and hazardous. In this work, CeS was synthesized by high-energy planetary ball milling of elemental cerium and sulfur. The reaction was monitored at ambient conditions, using in situ temperature and pressure. Using a similar approach, CeS was also prepared from a commercially available sulfide, Ce2S3, by mixing stoichiometric amounts of cerium. After CeS was synthesized using both approaches, the resulting powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The CeS powder was then sintered in an inert atmosphere and the thermal conductivity was measured.
Comments
Poster #Th43