What is "pentlandite"

n. (context mineralogy English) A mixed iron and nickel sulfide mineral, with the chemical formula (iron,nickel)₉sulfur₈; the major ore of nickel.

n. a mineral (iron-nickel sulphide) that is the chief ore of nickel

Pentlandite is an iron- nickel sulfide, ( Fe, Ni) S. Pentlandite has a narrow variation range in Ni:Fe but it is usually described as having a Ni:Fe of 1:1. It also contains minor cobalt, usually at low levels as a fraction of weight.

Pentlandite forms isometric crystals, but it is normally found in massive granular aggregates. It is brittle with a hardness of 3.5 - 4 and specific gravity of 4.6 - 5.0 and is non-magnetic. It has a yellowish bronze color.

Pentlandite is an effective electrolytic catalyst of hydrogen from water.