Sodium sulfide is a yellow, solid flake. It is used in the pulp and paper industry and in leather processing to remove hair from hides. Sodium sulfide may be used in the making of colors and dyes. It can also be used in the manufacture of other chemicals, metals or in mining and in waste water, soil and process sludge treatment.
This chemical adopts an anti-fluoride structure, where the smaller sodium ions occupy the larger sulphide ions holes in a crystal lattice and vice versa. It can also be oxidized when heated to yield sodium carbonate and sulphur dioxide. When exposed to air, this chemical smells like rotten egg and this is due to the releases of hydrogen sulphide gas. In addition, sodium sulphide can be treated with sulphur to yield polysulfide.
| Compound Formula | Na2S |
|---|---|
Molecular Weight | 78.04 |
Appearance | Off-white powder |
Melting Point | 1,176° C (2,149° F) |
Solubility in H2O | 18.6 g/100 mL (20 °C) |
Density | 1.856 g/cm3 |
