noun
- Chemical compounds formed by the combination of chalcogens (oxygen, sulfur, selenium, or tellurium) with other elements, especially metals.
Usage: technical; chemistry; plural form; singular is chalcogenide
Examples
- Chalcogenides are widely used in the production of semiconductors and photovoltaic devices.
- Metal chalcogenides have important applications in energy storage and conversion.
- Researchers are studying chalcogenides for their potential use in phase-change memory technology.
- Sulfides and selenides are common examples of chalcogenides found in nature.
- The optical properties of chalcogenides make them valuable for infrared optics.