What does chalcogenide mean?
A chalcogenide is a chemical compound formed when one of the chalcogens — the Group 16 elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, or polonium — bonds with a more electropositive element, typically a metal. Familiar examples include metal oxides and metal sulfides, though in modern usage the term most often refers to compounds of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium rather than oxides. Chalcogenides are central to materials science: certain chalcogenide glasses transmit infrared light and are used in lenses and optical fibers, while layered transition-metal chalcogenides are studied as semiconductors and in next-generation electronics and photovoltaics. The word derives from the Greek 'chalkos' (copper) and 'genes' (forming), reflecting the early classification of these elements by their tendency to occur in metal ores. It is a technical term, appearing chiefly in chemistry, mineralogy, and solid-state physics, and its plural form is 'chalcogenides'.
nounA binary chemical compound consisting of at least one chalcogen anion (oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, or polonium) and one or more electropositive elements.
- A binary compound of a chalcogen (Group 16 element) with a more electropositive element.
"Cadmium chalcogenides are widely used in semiconductor and photovoltaic research."
"Amorphous chalcogenide glasses are prized for their infrared transparency."
"Researchers synthesized a new transition-metal chalcogenide for use in thin-film solar cells."
Standard regular plural; used when referring to multiple such compounds or to the class generally.
"Metal chalcogenides exhibit a wide range of electronic properties."
The name literally means 'copper-former' in Greek — because sulfur, selenium, and tellurium were classed as ore-forming elements that bond with metals like copper.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chalcogenide
The term derives from the Greek 'chalkos', meaning copper, combined with '-gen' ('to produce' or 'form'), so it literally means 'copper-forming'. The name reflects an older chemical classification in which sulfur, selenium, and tellurium were grouped together as elements commonly found bonded to metals such as copper in ores. From this root came the collective term 'chalcogen' for the Group 16 elements, with 'chalcogenide' denoting their compounds. Related words sharing the same Greek root include 'chalcopyrite' and 'chalcocite', both copper-bearing minerals.
Related word forms
How chalcogenide is actually used
Primarily a technical term used in chemistry, materials science, mineralogy, and solid-state physics; rarely encountered outside scientific writing. Plural is 'chalcogenides'.
Easily confused with chalcogenide
A chalcogen is the element itself (oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, polonium) from Group 16 of the periodic table, whereas a chalcogenide is a compound containing such an element combined with another element.