Molybdenite
MoS2IMA symbol: Molgrandfathered
Molybdenite is a sulfide or sulfosalt mineral with the formula MoS2, crystallizing in the hexagonal system. It has a Mohs hardness of 1-1.5, typically gray or green in color, with a metallic luster, a specific gravity of 4.7-4.8. Its streak is blue-gray.
Photos
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Crystallography
| Crystal system | hexagonal crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P 63/m m c |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 3.161, b = 3.161, c = 12.295; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 120 |
| Cell volume | 106.392 ų, Z = 2 |
| Axial ratios | 1.0000:1:3.8896calculated from COD 9007660 |
| Source structure | COD 9007660 (Acta Crystallographica, Section B, 1983) — 1 of 4 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 6.147 | 2.276 | 1.829 | 2.738 | 1.581 | 2.501 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 70.3 | 37.4 | 27.1 | 18.5 | 15.5 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9007660; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 4.997 g/cm³calculated from COD 9007660 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 1-1.5single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 4.7-4.8 g/cm3single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Color | gray, greensingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Streak | blue-graysingle sourceWikidata (CC0) |
| Luster | metallicsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 160.07 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Mo 59.94%, S 40.06% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 2.EA.30Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 2.EA.30Wikidata (CC0) |
| Dana (8th) | 2.12.10.1Wikidata (CC0) |