Arsenic trisulfide As2S3
As2S3 · CAS 1303-33-9 · monoclinic
Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is an arsenic-sulfur chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Density
3.46 g/cm³
Melting point
310 °C
Acute toxicity
185 mg/kg
Recipe, share of the weight
- As not statedArsenic
- S not statedSulfur
Best for
Infrared windows and laser-written micro-structures, where the infrared window matters more than low toxicity
Weakest at
Toxicity: the arsenic content makes it a hazardous material to handle, store and dispose of
Risk at a glance
- People None found. Toxic if swallowed or inhaled
- If it fails High. Release of soluble arsenic oxides from aged samples
- Corrosion Moderate. Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.
Quick facts: As2S3
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 3.43 to 3.46 g/cm³ | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | 300 to 310 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
What is the density of Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3)?
Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) has a density of 3.43 to 3.46 g/cm³. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the melting point of Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3)?
Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) has a melting point of 300 to 310 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Infrared-transmitting glass for optics and sensors; Photoresist for laser-written three-dimensional micro-structures (laboratory use); Infrared seeker nose cone of the de Havilland Firestreak missile (historic).
Why it exists
Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is a chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper. Designers use that window for infrared sensors and laser-written photonic structures. The same arsenic chemistry makes the material toxic, so every use comes with handling limits.
Where it's used
Infrared optics and sensors
A UCF/CREOL paper describes As2S3 as an infrared transparent material with direct applications in IR sensors, photonic waveguides and acousto-optics.
Photoresist for laser-written micro-structures
The same paper reports that As2S3 films can be patterned by laser like polymeric photoresists, and that woodpile photonic crystals, nanowires and waveguides have been made in it by direct laser writing.
A historic missile nose cone
Wikipedia records that arsenic trisulfide was used for the eight-sided conical nose over the infrared seeker of the de Havilland Firestreak missile.
Recipe
As2S3
Arsenic trisulfide is As2S3: two arsenic atoms and three sulfur atoms per formula unit. The UCF/CREOL paper describes thin films deposited by thermal evaporation of the bulk glass.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic As | not stated | The heavy element that gives the glass its high refractive index and its toxicity. |
| Sulfur S | not stated | The network former that bonds to arsenic and holds the glass together. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Infrared transmission
Transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to the UCF/CREOL paper.
Density
3.46 g/cm³
measured
AZoM lists a density of 3.46 g/cm3, with no temperature printed.
Melting point
310 °C
measured
AZoM lists a melting point of 310 °C.
Acute toxicity
185 mg/kg
measured
The supplier SDS gives an oral LD50 of 185 mg/kg in rats, which is why the powder is toxic if swallowed.
How it compares
Arsenic trisulfide is an infrared glass like the other optical materials in this group, but its chemistry is different: it is an arsenic sulfide, not an oxide. Wikipedia states that the glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form. The table sets its density, melting point and refractive index side by side.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.
| Measurement | As2S3 |
|---|---|
| Capacity and energy | |
| molar heat capacity | 116.3 J/mol K8 |
| Thermal behavior and safety | |
| melting point | 310 °C3 |
| melting point | 300 °C4 |
| heat of formation | -169 kJ/mol10 |
| Physical and electrical | |
| Density | 3.46 g/cm³1 |
| Density | 3.43 g/cm³2 |
| mohs hardness | 1.8 -7 |
| Other measurements | |
| boiling point | 707 °C5 |
| refractive index | 2.4 -6 |
| standard molar entropy | 163.6 J/mol K9 |
| lattice constant a | 11.49 Å11 |
| lattice constant b | 9.59 Å12 |
| lattice constant c | 4.25 Å13 |
| molecular weight | 246 g/mol14 |
| Shortest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, lower limit) | > 620 nm15 |
| Longest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, upper limit) | < 11 µm16 |
| Acute oral LD50, rat | 185 mg/kg17 |
| Acute dermal LD50, rat | 936 mg/kg18 |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Infrared windows and sensors that need transmission from about 620 nm to 11 µm (UCF/CREOL paper).
- Laser-written micro-structures, where As2S3 films act as an inorganic photoresist (UCF/CREOL paper).
Watch out for
- Toxic if swallowed or inhaled (SDS: H301 and H331). AZoM also lists H410, very toxic to aquatic life.
- Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.
- Sources disagree on the inhalation hazard code: H330 (fatal if inhaled) on the Apollo Scientific page, and H331 (toxic if inhaled) in the SDS and AZoM. Both are kept.
Arsenic trisulfide is a useful infrared glass for optics and laser-written micro-structures, but its arsenic content makes it a hazardous material that needs strict handling.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density | Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article | basis no temperature, form or test condition printed on the page | Apollo Scientific also prints 3.43 g/cm3 (recorded below). Wikipedia's 3.43 g/cm3 is not recorded (see gaps). |
| 2 | Density | Value printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product page | basis product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no temperature printed | Differs from the AZoM value of 3.46 g/cm3 (see gaps). |
| 3 | melting point | Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article | basis no condition printed on the page | — |
| 4 | melting point | Value printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product page | basis product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no condition printed | Differs from the AZoM value of 310 °C (see gaps). |
| 5 | boiling point | Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article | basis no condition printed on the page | — |
| 6 | refractive index | Value printed in the Optical Properties table of the AZoM article | wavelength not printed on the page | The page gives no wavelength. Wikipedia gives 2.45 with no condition; the two disagree (see gaps). |
| 7 | mohs hardness | Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article | scale Mohs scale, a dimensionless ranking; no unit printed | — |
| 8 | molar heat capacity | Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article | basis printed as Specific Heat Capacity in molar units; not converted to per kilogram | — |
| 9 | standard molar entropy | Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article | basis standard molar entropy as printed; no reference temperature stated | — |
| 10 | heat of formation | Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article | basis no reference state or temperature printed on the page | — |
| 11 | lattice constant a | Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article | crystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page | — |
| 12 | lattice constant b | Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article | crystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page | — |
| 13 | lattice constant c | Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article | crystal system monoclinictemperature not printed on the page | — |
| 14 | molecular weight | Computed value printed in the PubChem record for CID 4093503 (Molecular Weight section) | basis computed by PubChem 2.1, not measured | — |
| 15 | Shortest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, lower limit) | Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paper | basis stated as approximately 620 nm in the papermaterial As2S3 glass as described in the paper; bulk and film not separated | — |
| 16 | Longest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, upper limit) | Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paper | basis stated as the upper end of the infrared transparency rangematerial As2S3 glass as described in the paper | — |
| 17 | Acute oral LD50, rat | Acute oral LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDS | species ratroute oralproduct arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS | — |
| 18 | Acute dermal LD50, rat | Acute dermal LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDS | species ratroute dermalproduct arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Air, oxidation of the glass | low | The glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form, according to Wikipedia.1 |
| Aged samples of the material | moderate | Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.2 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air, oxidation of the glass | Wikipedia states that the arsenic trisulfide glass is more resistant to oxidation than crystalline arsenic trisulfide, which minimizes toxicity concerns. The page gives no oxidation rate, humidity or temperature for this statement. | basis qualitative statement only; no test conditions printed |
| 2 | Aged samples of the material | Wikipedia states that aged samples can contain substantial amounts of arsenic oxides, which are soluble and therefore highly toxic. No ageing time, temperature or humidity is given. | basis qualitative statement only; no ageing conditions printed |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The supplier SDS classifies the powder as toxic if swallowed or inhaled and prints carcinogen classifications for it.
- Swallowed or inhaled
- The supplier SDS lists H301 (toxic if swallowed) and H331 (toxic if inhaled). Apollo Scientific lists H330 (fatal if inhaled) for the same compound.
- Cancer classification
- The SDS prints IARC-1 (carcinogenic to humans) and ACGIH A1 (confirmed human carcinogen).
- Dust and fume
- AZoM advises avoiding breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261).
If the material ages or burns
These statements are qualitative. The sources do not give ageing or heating conditions.
- Aged samples
- Wikipedia says aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which it calls highly toxic.
- Fire
- The SDS lists arsenic oxides, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products.
Handling and storage
The exposure limits below are for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which the NIOSH pocket guide covers.
- Exposure limits
- The OSHA PEL is 0.010 mg/m3 as a TWA, and the NIOSH REL is Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 over 15 minutes.
- Environment
- Avoid release to the environment (P273) and send waste to an approved disposal plant (P501).
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Delamination from thermal expansion (chalcogenide glasses in general)moderate severity | Temperature change on a bonded or constrained componentThe UCF/CREOL paper says a high coefficient of thermal expansion can cause component failure through delamination, so temperature control becomes necessary. The paper is about chalcogenide glasses in general and gives no expansion value for As2S3. |
| Release of soluble arsenic oxides from aged sampleshigh severity | Storage or ageing of the materialSoluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic, can be present in aged samples. |
Side effects on surrounding parts
| Affects | Effect |
|---|---|
| People near a fire or during overheating | The supplier SDS lists arsenic oxides, toxic metal oxide fume, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products. |
Handling and storage
- AZoM precautions: avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261); avoid release to the environment (P273); dispose of contents and container at an approved waste disposal plant (P501).
- NIOSH pocket guide entry for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which Wikipedia cites for this material: OSHA PEL printed as [1910.1018] TWA 0.010 mg/m3; NIOSH REL printed as Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 [15-minute]; IDLH printed as Ca [5 mg/m3 (as As)].
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Arsenic (as arsenic trioxide, the arsenic product USGS reports; As2S3 itself is not reported separately)
- Top producers (2025)
- Peru 49.2%, China 39.3%, Morocco 8.2%, Belgium 1.6%, Russia 0.8%
- Recycling
- USGS: arsenic metal was contained in new scrap recycled during GaAs semiconductor manufacturing, and no arsenic was known to have been recovered from scrap electronic circuit boards, relays and switches.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: arsenic-trisulfide
spore_version: 0.2
family: chalcogenide-glass
name: Arsenic trisulfide
abbreviation: As2S3
role: infrared optical glass
category: glasses-optics
type: optical-crystals
summary: Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is an arsenic-sulfur chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper. AZoM lists its density as 3.46 g/cm3 and its melting point as 310 °C. The supplier safety data sheet classifies the powder as toxic if swallowed or if inhaled, so it is an infrared optics material that needs strict handling.
best_for: Infrared windows and laser-written micro-structures, where the infrared window matters more than low toxicity
weakest_at: 'Toxicity: the arsenic content makes it a hazardous material to handle, store and dispose of'
identity:
formula: As2S3
cas: 1303-33-9
crystal_system: monoclinic
source: azom-as2s3
where: Chemical Properties table (Chemical Formula, CAS No. and Crystal Structure rows)
tags:
environments: []
stresses: []
applications:
- optics-and-cameras
properties:
- benchmark: density
value: 3.46
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
basis: no temperature, form or test condition printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
note: Apollo Scientific also prints 3.43 g/cm3 (recorded below). Wikipedia's 3.43 g/cm3 is not recorded (see gaps).
source: azom-as2s3
where: Mechanical Properties table, Density row
- benchmark: density
value: 3.43
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
basis: product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no temperature printed
method: Value printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product page
status: ground
note: Differs from the AZoM value of 3.46 g/cm3 (see gaps).
source: apollo-as2s3
where: Physical data, Density
- benchmark: melting_point
value: 310
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: no condition printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Mechanical Properties table, Melting Point row
- benchmark: melting_point
value: 300
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: product page for Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166 (99.999%); no condition printed
method: Value printed in the physical data section of the Apollo Scientific product page
status: ground
note: Differs from the AZoM value of 310 °C (see gaps).
source: apollo-as2s3
where: Physical data, Melting point
- benchmark: boiling_point
value: 707
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: no condition printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Mechanical Properties table, Boiling Point row
- benchmark: refractive_index
value: 2.4
unit: '-'
scope: material
conditions:
wavelength: not printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Optical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
note: The page gives no wavelength. Wikipedia gives 2.45 with no condition; the two disagree (see gaps).
source: azom-as2s3
where: Optical Properties table, Refractive Index row
- benchmark: mohs_hardness
value: 1.8
unit: '-'
scope: material
conditions:
scale: Mohs scale, a dimensionless ranking; no unit printed
method: Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Mechanical Properties table, Mohs Hardness row
- benchmark: molar_heat_capacity
value: 116.3
unit: J/mol K
scope: material
conditions:
basis: printed as Specific Heat Capacity in molar units; not converted to per kilogram
method: Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Thermal Properties table, Specific Heat Capacity row
- benchmark: standard_molar_entropy
value: 163.6
unit: J/mol K
scope: material
conditions:
basis: standard molar entropy as printed; no reference temperature stated
method: Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Thermal Properties table, Standard molar entropy row
- benchmark: heat_of_formation
value: -169
unit: kJ/mol
scope: material
conditions:
basis: no reference state or temperature printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Thermal Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Thermal Properties table, Heat of Formation row
- benchmark: lattice_constant_a
value: 11.49
unit: Å
scope: material
conditions:
crystal_system: monoclinic
temperature: not printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Chemical Properties table, Lattice Constant row (a)
- benchmark: lattice_constant_b
value: 9.59
unit: Å
scope: material
conditions:
crystal_system: monoclinic
temperature: not printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Chemical Properties table, Lattice Constant row (b)
- benchmark: lattice_constant_c
value: 4.25
unit: Å
scope: material
conditions:
crystal_system: monoclinic
temperature: not printed on the page
method: Value printed in the Chemical Properties table of the AZoM article
status: ground
source: azom-as2s3
where: Chemical Properties table, Lattice Constant row (c)
- benchmark: molecular_weight
value: 246
unit: g/mol
scope: material
conditions:
basis: computed by PubChem 2.1, not measured
method: Computed value printed in the PubChem record for CID 4093503 (Molecular Weight section)
status: calculated
source: pubchem-as2s3
where: Molecular Weight section of the PubChem record (CID 4093503)
- benchmark: ir_transmission_lower_wavelength
label: Shortest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, lower limit)
value: 620
unit: nm
bound: lower
scope: material
conditions:
basis: stated as approximately 620 nm in the paper
material: As2S3 glass as described in the paper; bulk and film not separated
method: Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paper
status: ground
source: ucf-as2s3
where: Abstract; Section 1 (Introduction), first paragraph
- benchmark: ir_transmission_upper_wavelength
label: Longest wavelength transmitted (infrared window, upper limit)
value: 11
unit: µm
bound: upper
scope: material
conditions:
basis: stated as the upper end of the infrared transparency range
material: As2S3 glass as described in the paper
method: Value stated in the abstract and introduction of the UCF/CREOL paper
status: ground
source: ucf-as2s3
where: Abstract; Section 1 (Introduction), first paragraph
- benchmark: ld50_oral_rat
label: Acute oral LD50, rat
value: 185
unit: mg/kg
scope: material
conditions:
species: rat
route: oral
product: arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS
method: Acute oral LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDS
status: ground
source: samaterials-sds
where: Section 11, Acute toxicity (LD/LC50 values relevant for classification)
- benchmark: ld50_dermal_rat
label: Acute dermal LD50, rat
value: 936
unit: mg/kg
scope: material
conditions:
species: rat
route: dermal
product: arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder, per the supplier SDS
method: Acute dermal LD50 printed in the toxicological information section of the supplier SDS
status: ground
source: samaterials-sds
where: Section 11, Acute toxicity (LD/LC50 values relevant for classification)
corrosion:
- environment: Air, oxidation of the glass
headline: The glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form, according to Wikipedia.
effect: Wikipedia states that the arsenic trisulfide glass is more resistant to oxidation than crystalline arsenic trisulfide, which minimizes toxicity concerns. The page gives no oxidation rate, humidity or temperature for this statement.
rating: low
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement only; no test conditions printed
source: wikipedia-as2s3
where: Section on IR-transmitting glasses
- environment: Aged samples of the material
headline: Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.
effect: Wikipedia states that aged samples can contain substantial amounts of arsenic oxides, which are soluble and therefore highly toxic. No ageing time, temperature or humidity is given.
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement only; no ageing conditions printed
source: wikipedia-as2s3
where: Safety section
risks:
hazards:
- text: 'Supplier SDS for arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder: signal word Danger, pictogram GHS06, hazard statements H301 (toxic if swallowed) and H331 (toxic if inhaled).'
ghs:
- H301
- H331
source: samaterials-sds
where: Section 2, GHS label elements
- text: AZoM lists H301 (toxic if swallowed), H331 (toxic if inhaled) and H410 (very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects) for arsenic trisulfide.
ghs:
- H301
- H331
- H410
source: azom-as2s3
where: Safety Information, GHS Hazard Statements list
- text: Apollo Scientific (catalogue IN1166) lists H330 (fatal if inhaled) and H301+H311 (toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin), with a GHS06 pictogram. Its H330 differs from H331 (toxic if inhaled) in the SDS and AZoM; both are kept.
ghs:
- H330
- H301
- H311
source: apollo-as2s3
where: Product page, hazard statements and pictogram
- text: 'The supplier SDS prints carcinogen classifications for this material: IARC-1 (carcinogenic to humans), ACGIH A1 (confirmed human carcinogen) and NTP-K (known to be carcinogenic).'
ghs: []
source: samaterials-sds
where: Section 11, Carcinogenicity
failure_risks:
- mode: Delamination from thermal expansion (chalcogenide glasses in general)
trigger: Temperature change on a bonded or constrained component
consequence: The UCF/CREOL paper says a high coefficient of thermal expansion can cause component failure through delamination, so temperature control becomes necessary. The paper is about chalcogenide glasses in general and gives no expansion value for As2S3.
severity: moderate
source: ucf-as2s3
where: Section 1 (Introduction), second paragraph
- mode: Release of soluble arsenic oxides from aged samples
trigger: Storage or ageing of the material
consequence: Soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic, can be present in aged samples.
severity: high
source: wikipedia-as2s3
where: Safety section
side_effects:
- text: The supplier SDS lists arsenic oxides, toxic metal oxide fume, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products.
affects: People near a fire or during overheating
source: samaterials-sds
where: Section 10, Hazardous decomposition products
handling:
- text: 'AZoM precautions: avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261); avoid release to the environment (P273); dispose of contents and container at an approved waste disposal plant (P501).'
source: azom-as2s3
where: Safety Precautions list
- text: 'NIOSH pocket guide entry for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which Wikipedia cites for this material: OSHA PEL printed as [1910.1018] TWA 0.010 mg/m3; NIOSH REL printed as Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 [15-minute]; IDLH printed as Ca [5 mg/m3 (as As)].'
source: niosh-npg-0038
where: Exposure limits, PEL, REL and IDLH rows
uses:
- application: optics-and-cameras
device: Infrared-transmitting glass for optics and sensors
example: The UCF/CREOL paper describes As2S3 as an infrared transparent material with direct applications in IR sensors, photonic waveguides and acousto-optics.
source: ucf-as2s3
where: Abstract; Section 1 (Introduction)
- application: optics-and-cameras
device: Photoresist for laser-written three-dimensional micro-structures (laboratory use)
example: The UCF/CREOL paper reports that thermally deposited As2S3 films can be photo-patterned like polymeric photoresists, and that woodpile photonic crystals, nanowires and waveguides have been fabricated in As2S3 by direct laser writing.
source: ucf-as2s3
where: Section 1 (Introduction)
- application: optics-and-cameras
device: Infrared seeker nose cone of the de Havilland Firestreak missile (historic)
example: Wikipedia records that arsenic trisulfide was used for the eight-sided conical nose over the infrared seeker of the de Havilland Firestreak missile.
source: wikipedia-as2s3
where: History section (Contemporary uses, IR-transmitting glasses)
supply:
- subject: Arsenic (as arsenic trioxide, the arsenic product USGS reports; As2S3 itself is not reported separately)
producers:
- country: Peru
share_percent: 49.2
year: 2025
- country: China
share_percent: 39.3
year: 2025
- country: Morocco
share_percent: 8.2
year: 2025
- country: Belgium
share_percent: 1.6
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 0.8
year: 2025
recycling: 'USGS: arsenic metal was contained in new scrap recycled during GaAs semiconductor manufacturing, and no arsenic was known to have been recovered from scrap electronic circuit boards, relays and switches.'
substitutes: []
source: usgs-mcs2026-arsenic
where: World Production and Capacity table, 2025 column of production (arsenic trioxide, gross weight); shares calculated by Space Mushroom against the printed world total of 61,000; Recycling section
documents:
- title: 'Safety data sheet: arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder (supplier SDS)'
type: sds
url: https://samaterials.com/tds/1697118961-2645-arsenic-sulfide-as2s3-powder-sds.pdf
- title: Processing and properties of arsenic trisulfide chalcogenide glasses for direct laser writing of 3D micro-structures (UCF/CREOL, open PDF)
type: paper
url: https://api.creol.ucf.edu/Publications/7446.pdf
- title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Arsenic (USGS)'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-arsenic.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'PubChem compound record: Arsenic (III) sulfide (CID 4093503)'
type: database
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4093503
year: 2026
gaps:
- No flight, vacuum, radiation or space-environment result for arsenic trisulfide was found, and no space application source was read.
- No glass transition temperature and no coefficient of thermal expansion for As2S3 was found in a source we could open. The UCF/CREOL paper's expansion statement is qualitative and about chalcogenide glasses in general.
- Band gap of 2.7 eV (direct) is printed only in Wikipedia, which this profile uses for composition, history and qualitative statements. It is not recorded as a property.
- 'Density: AZoM gives 3.46 g/cm3 and Apollo Scientific gives 3.43 g/cm3; both are recorded side by side. Wikipedia gives 3.43 g/cm3 at standard state (25 °C and 100 kPa) and refractive index 2.45 with no condition; the Wikipedia values are not recorded as properties.'
- 'Melting point: AZoM gives 310 °C and Apollo Scientific gives 300 °C; both are recorded side by side.'
- 'Inhalation hazard code: Apollo Scientific lists H330 (fatal if inhaled); the SDS and AZoM list H331 (toxic if inhaled). Both are kept in the hazard list.'
- The AZoM refractive index has no wavelength. A bulk-glass refractive index at a stated wavelength was not found in a source we could open; the Knotek et al. 2020 paper and the Makovetsky article could not be opened.
- Magnetic susceptibility is printed with an exponent in Wikipedia and without a unit in AZoM, so it is not recorded.
- No trade name, AMTIR designation or grade code is printed in the sources read. The lane note mentions AMTIR-6, but no source read here names it for this material, so no designation is listed.
- Fibre drawing, moulding and processing temperatures for As2S3 were not found in the sources read.
- Crustal abundance of arsenic was not found in a source we could open.
- The USGS arsenic chapter read here does not state whether arsenic is on the USGS or EU critical-mineral lists, so no list status is recorded.
- The USGS production data cover arsenic trioxide, not As2S3. Producer shares are calculated from printed tonnages.
- PubChem's GHS classification page was blocked in this run (reCAPTCHA), so no PubChem hazard codes are recorded. Wikipedia also lists H300, H400 and H411, which the supplier SDS, AZoM and Apollo Scientific do not print; they are not recorded as hazards.
- NIOSH exposure limits are for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), not separately for As2S3.
- Element atomic weights for arsenic and sulfur were not taken from a fetched source, so the recipe gives atom counts only.
- Taxonomy has no chalcogenide type. optical-crystals is the nearest infrared-optics slug.
- 'Non-canonical benchmark names used: molar_heat_capacity, standard_molar_entropy, heat_of_formation, mohs_hardness, lattice_constant_a, lattice_constant_b, lattice_constant_c, molecular_weight, ir_transmission_lower_wavelength, ir_transmission_upper_wavelength, ld50_oral_rat and ld50_dermal_rat.'
sources:
azom-as2s3:
title: Arsenic trisulfide, AZoM materials article (ArticleID 8438)
id: AZoM ArticleID 8438
url: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8438
kind: web
license: AZoM article, cited not reproduced
wikipedia-as2s3:
title: Arsenic trisulfide (Wikipedia)
id: Wikipedia, Arsenic trisulfide
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenic_trisulfide
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia text)
ucf-as2s3:
title: Processing and properties of arsenic trisulfide chalcogenide glasses for direct laser writing of 3D micro-structures
id: Schwarz, Williams, Grabill, Lewis, Kuebler et al., University of Central Florida (CREOL)
url: https://api.creol.ucf.edu/Publications/7446.pdf
kind: paper
license: open PDF; licence not stated on the document
usgs-mcs2026-arsenic:
title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Arsenic'
id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-arsenic.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
pubchem-as2s3:
title: PubChem compound record, Arsenic (III) sulfide (CID 4093503), JSON view
id: CID 4093503; CAS 1303-33-9
url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug_view/data/compound/4093503/JSON
year: 2026
kind: database
license: public domain (NCBI)
samaterials-sds:
title: 'Safety data sheet: arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder (supplier SDS)'
id: Supplier SDS, product file 1697118961-2645
url: https://samaterials.com/tds/1697118961-2645-arsenic-sulfide-as2s3-powder-sds.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: supplier document, linked not reproduced
apollo-as2s3:
title: Arsenic(III) sulfide, 99.999%, catalogue IN1166 (Apollo Scientific product page)
id: Apollo Scientific catalogue IN1166; CAS 1303-33-9
url: https://store.apolloscientific.co.uk/product/arseniciii-sulfide
kind: datasheet
license: supplier product page, cited not reproduced
niosh-npg-0038:
title: 'NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As)'
id: NIOSH NPG entry 0038 (page reviewed 30 October 2019)
url: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0038.html
year: 2019
kind: handbook
license: public domain (US government)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 18
unreachable: 6
caveats: 3
note: 'Read by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01. Eight sources were read. Candidate sources that could not be opened from this environment: ECHA (HTTP 403), DTIC, Springer (login redirect), RSC Advances (HTTP 403), the Makovetsky article and the JOAM PDFs.'
story:
recipe:
line: 'Arsenic trisulfide is As2S3: two arsenic atoms and three sulfur atoms per formula unit. The UCF/CREOL paper describes thin films deposited by thermal evaporation of the bulk glass.'
parts:
- name: Arsenic
symbol: As
role: The heavy element that gives the glass its high refractive index and its toxicity.
- name: Sulfur
symbol: S
role: The network former that bonds to arsenic and holds the glass together.
risk_groups:
- title: For people
level: 0
verdict: Toxic if swallowed or inhaled
lead: The supplier SDS classifies the powder as toxic if swallowed or inhaled and prints carcinogen classifications for it.
points:
- label: Swallowed or inhaled
line: The supplier SDS lists H301 (toxic if swallowed) and H331 (toxic if inhaled). Apollo Scientific lists H330 (fatal if inhaled) for the same compound.
- label: Cancer classification
line: The SDS prints IARC-1 (carcinogenic to humans) and ACGIH A1 (confirmed human carcinogen).
- label: Dust and fume
line: AZoM advises avoiding breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray (P261).
- title: If the material ages or burns
verdict: Aged samples can release arsenic oxides
lead: These statements are qualitative. The sources do not give ageing or heating conditions.
points:
- label: Aged samples
line: Wikipedia says aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which it calls highly toxic.
- label: Fire
line: The SDS lists arsenic oxides, sulfur oxides and hydrogen sulfide as hazardous decomposition products.
- title: Handling and storage
verdict: Follow the arsenic exposure limits
lead: The exposure limits below are for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As), which the NIOSH pocket guide covers.
points:
- label: Exposure limits
line: The OSHA PEL is 0.010 mg/m3 as a TWA, and the NIOSH REL is Ca C 0.002 mg/m3 over 15 minutes.
- label: Environment
line: Avoid release to the environment (P273) and send waste to an approved disposal plant (P501).
why: Arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) is a chalcogenide glass that transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to a UCF/CREOL paper. Designers use that window for infrared sensors and laser-written photonic structures. The same arsenic chemistry makes the material toxic, so every use comes with handling limits.
uses:
- where: Infrared optics and sensors
line: A UCF/CREOL paper describes As2S3 as an infrared transparent material with direct applications in IR sensors, photonic waveguides and acousto-optics.
- where: Photoresist for laser-written micro-structures
line: The same paper reports that As2S3 films can be patterned by laser like polymeric photoresists, and that woodpile photonic crystals, nanowires and waveguides have been made in it by direct laser writing.
- where: A historic missile nose cone
line: Wikipedia records that arsenic trisulfide was used for the eight-sided conical nose over the infrared seeker of the de Havilland Firestreak missile.
can_do:
- label: Infrared transmission
line: Transmits infrared light from about 620 nm to 11 µm, according to the UCF/CREOL paper.
- label: Density
benchmark: density
line: AZoM lists a density of 3.46 g/cm3, with no temperature printed.
- label: Melting point
benchmark: melting_point
line: AZoM lists a melting point of 310 °C.
- label: Acute toxicity
benchmark: ld50_oral_rat
line: The supplier SDS gives an oral LD50 of 185 mg/kg in rats, which is why the powder is toxic if swallowed.
compare: 'Arsenic trisulfide is an infrared glass like the other optical materials in this group, but its chemistry is different: it is an arsenic sulfide, not an oxide. Wikipedia states that the glass form resists oxidation better than the crystalline form. The table sets its density, melting point and refractive index side by side.'
compare_rows:
- label: Density
benchmark: density
- label: Melting point
benchmark: melting_point
- label: Refractive index
benchmark: refractive_index
handling:
- Keep dust and fume out of the air. AZoM's precautions say to avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- The NIOSH limits for arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As) are 0.010 mg/m3 for the OSHA PEL and 0.002 mg/m3 as the 15-minute NIOSH REL.
- Keep the material out of the environment, and send waste to an approved disposal plant.
good_for:
- Infrared windows and sensors that need transmission from about 620 nm to 11 µm (UCF/CREOL paper).
- Laser-written micro-structures, where As2S3 films act as an inorganic photoresist (UCF/CREOL paper).
watch_out:
- 'Toxic if swallowed or inhaled (SDS: H301 and H331). AZoM also lists H410, very toxic to aquatic life.'
- Aged samples can contain soluble arsenic oxides, which Wikipedia calls highly toxic.
- 'Sources disagree on the inhalation hazard code: H330 (fatal if inhaled) on the Apollo Scientific page, and H331 (toxic if inhaled) in the SDS and AZoM. Both are kept.'
verdict: Arsenic trisulfide is a useful infrared glass for optics and laser-written micro-structures, but its arsenic content makes it a hazardous material that needs strict handling.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic trisulfide, AZoM materials article (ArticleID 8438) | web | 14 values | ||
| Arsenic trisulfide (Wikipedia) | web | 4 values | ||
| Processing and properties of arsenic trisulfide chalcogenide glasses for direct laser writing of 3D micro-structures | paper | 5 values | ||
| Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Arsenic | report | 2026 | 1 value | |
| PubChem compound record, Arsenic (III) sulfide (CID 4093503), JSON view | database | 2026 | 1 value | |
| Safety data sheet: arsenic sulfide (As2S3) powder (supplier SDS) | datasheet | 5 values | ||
| Arsenic(III) sulfide, 99.999%, catalogue IN1166 (Apollo Scientific product page) | datasheet | 3 values | ||
| NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Arsenic, inorganic compounds (as As) | handbook | 2019 | 1 value |
Updated