Samarium monosulfide

Samarium monosulfide is a binary inorganic chemical compound of samarium metal and sulfur with the chemical formula SmS.^[1]

Samarium monosulfide

Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/S.Sm/q-2;+2 Key: KASDAGLLEDDKAA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [S-2].[Sm+2]
Properties
Chemical formula	SSm
Molar mass	182.42 g·mol−1
Appearance	dark brown crystals
Melting point	1,940 °C (3,520 °F; 2,210 K)
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic
Related compounds
Other cations	Neodymium sulfide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Synthesis

Fusion of stoichiometric amounts of pure substances:

Sm + S → SmS

Physical properties

Samarium monosulfide forms crystals of cubic system, spatial group Fm3m, cell parameters a = 0.5970–0.5863 nm, Z = 4, structurally isomorphic with NaCl.^[2]

The compound melts congruently at a temperature of 1500 °C, 1940 °C, or 2080 °C.^[3]

SmS is a chalcogenide material that exists in two possible states: as a metal (also called "golden") and as a semiconductor ("blue" or "black").^[4] As a result, SmS has gained considerable interest as a switchable material.^[5]

Uses

Samarium monosulfide has a high sensitivity to deformation. Therefore, SmS is a promising material for creating pressure sensors of force, torque, accelerations, etc.^[6]