Material Safety Data Sheet: Copper Selenide

Identification

Product Name: Copper Selenide
Chemical Formula: Cu2Se
Other Names: Dicopper selenide, Copper(I) selenide
CAS Number: 1315-14-6
Recommended Uses: Research, electrical components, photovoltaic, thermoelectric devices, chemical synthesis
Supplier: Industrial materials distributor or laboratory supplier contact by-site
Emergency Contact Number: Refer to company protocol or emergency provider direct

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral and Inhalation) – Category 3; Skin Corrosion/Irritation – Category 2; Serious Eye Damage/Irritation – Category 2A; Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Repeated Exposure) – Category 2
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Hazard Symbols: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark
Target Organs: Liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Copper Selenide
CAS Number: 1315-14-6
Concentration: 100% (for technical and purity grades unless otherwise specified)
Impurities that Contribute to Hazard: Trace metals (nickel, cobalt, iron possible depending on source and preparation method)

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Do not delay medical attention; provide this sheet to the physician.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air immediately. Keep comfortable for breathing. Seek medical attention. Avoid direct contact with dust on clothing.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water for several minutes. Immediate medical attention is recommended for persistent irritation or burns.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing and seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical professional. Immediate medical attention recommended.
Major Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, skin/eye irritation

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry powder, or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use water directly on the material.
Specific Hazards: Toxic and irritating fumes (hydrogen selenide, copper oxides, selenium oxides) form on heating or combustion.
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full turnout gear recommended.
Special Procedures: Move containers from fire area if possible. Control runoff. Avoid inhalation of combustion products.
Explosion Hazard: May react with strong oxidizers. Fine dusts may create dust explosion risk under some conditions in enclosed spaces.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Wear full recommended protective equipment – gloves, goggles, dust respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from entering drains, water courses, soil.
Methods for Clean-Up: Sweep up and place into appropriate waste container using a method minimizing dust creation. Ventilate affected area thoroughly.
Decontamination: Wash spill site after material pickup is complete. Double bag waste generated and label accordingly.
Notification Requirements: Report larger spills and releases to relevant environmental authorities per site protocol or regulation.

Handling and Storage

Precautions for Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Avoid generation or spread of dusts and aerosols. Use only with local exhaust or externally vented fume hood.
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling. Wash hands and face after handling and before breaks.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers, dry and cool place, away from acids, oxidizers, and direct sunlight.
Incompatibilities: Acids, strong oxidizing agents, halogens.
Safe Container Materials: Polypropylene, polyethylene, chemically compatible glass, or metal.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosures to minimize exposure. Use fume hoods for laboratory handling.
Occupational Exposure Limits: USA OSHA PEL Selenium compounds (as Se): 0.2 mg/m³ TWA, NIOSH REL: 0.2 mg/m³ TWA as selenium.
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection (NIOSH approved particulate respirator), chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, lab coat, closed footwear.
Environmental Exposure Control: Prevent further release into environment. Store in areas with appropriate secondary containment if substantial quantities are present.
Work Practices: Follow good industrial hygiene and safety practices. Change contaminated clothing immediately.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Black to dark gray powder or solid (crystalline aggregates, technical grade often powder)
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: about 1,110°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Density: 6.74 g/cm³ (solid)
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable (solid at room temperature)
Molecular Weight: 206.56 g/mol
pH: Not applicable
Other Data: May react slowly with acids releasing toxic hydrogen selenide gas

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal, ambient storage and handling conditions. Sensitive to acids and strong oxidizers.
Reactivity: Reacts with acids producing highly toxic and flammable hydrogen selenide gas, reacts with oxidizers and halogens, possibly violently.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen selenide, copper oxides, selenium oxides during decomposition or incomplete combustion.
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with acids, oxidizing substances, moisture, and high temperatures.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; oral LD50 (rat): 30-70 mg/kg (as selenium compounds).
Aspiration Hazard: Not classified by aspiration hazard; is a solid.
Skin Irritation: Causes skin irritation and possibly burns.
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes eye irritation; possible serious injury.
Carcinogenicity: No IARC/ACGIH/NTP/OSHA listing for copper selenide itself; selenium compounds have shown possible carcinogenic potential in animal studies.
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure can cause liver or kidney injury, nervous system effects, gastrointestinal disturbance, and selenosis (selenium poisoning).
Other Information: Do not ingest, inhale, or allow prolonged skin contact.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Mobility: Practically insoluble in water; will persist in soils and sediment.
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, not biodegradable. Selenide ions can oxidize to selenite or selenate in environment.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Selenium has known potential to bioaccumulate in living organisms.
Other Harmful Effects: Spillage may affect microflora and aquatic biota significantly.

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Material should be collected and sealed in clearly labeled, approved hazardous waste container.
Disposal Recommendations: Dispose via licensed hazardous waste contractor. Do not dump into surface water, sewer, or natural environment.
Contaminated Packaging: Packaging should be handled as hazardous waste and incinerated or landfilled according to local, regional, and national regulations.
Legal Consideration: Must follow local and national regulations for hazardous waste disposal. For United States, RCRA hazardous waste code D010 (selenium compounds), D006 (copper compounds) may apply.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not assigned for copper selenide specifically; consult current transport regulations for selenium or copper compounds where copper selenide is included
UN Class: Not regulated under typical UN transport classes; handle as environmentally hazardous material.
Packing Group: III (if classified as dangerous goods based on quantity or concentration)
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (contains copper selenide)
Labeling Requirements: Environmentally hazardous, toxic (where required)
Transport Precautions: Prevent dust formation, seal containers tightly; avoid rough handling and extreme temperatures.

Regulatory Information

OSHA Regulatory Status: Regulated as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
SARA Title III Section 313: Both copper and selenium compounds listed; subject to reporting requirements in US.
TSCA Inventory: Listed
REACH Registration: Registration required for quantities above one metric ton/year in E.U.; consult supplier for status.
Other Regulatory Considerations: Subject to workplace environmental and occupational limits. Specific substance regulations vary by country.
Additional Information: Refer to local, state, federal, and international regulations for worker health and environmental compliance.