NiS2

vaesite · nickel disulfide

Vaesite is a stable, naturally occurring nickel disulfide semiconductor known for its pyrite-like crystal structure.

NiS
Crystal structure of NiS2
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About vaesite

Vaesite is a naturally occurring nickel disulfide that crystallizes in a pyrite-type structure. As a thermodynamically stable compound, it maintains a robust structural integrity that makes it a significant subject for solid-state chemistry and mineralogical studies.

This semiconducting material is highly valued in research for its distinct electronic properties. Due to its extensive documentation across numerous structural databases, it serves as a foundational reference point for understanding metal-chalcogenide bonding and electronic behavior.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for vaesite, aggregated across 5 databases.

Band Gap

0.24–0.53 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
4 DFT sources

Structures

118
5 databases, 29 space groups
Synthesis

Synthesis Routes

Literature-extracted synthesis procedures targeting NiS2.

Solid State
Procedure available · ceder_solid_state
Uses

Applications

Where vaesite is used.

Geological researchSolid-state chemistry studiesMaterials science reference material
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about vaesite, answered from cross-validated data.

What is NiS2?

Vaesite is a stable, naturally occurring nickel disulfide semiconductor known for its pyrite-like crystal structure.

More questions
What is NiS2 used for?
vaesite (NiS2) is used in geological research, solid-state chemistry studies, and materials science reference material.
What is the band gap of NiS2?
vaesite (NiS2) has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.24–0.53 eV across 118 reported structures.
Is NiS2 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 0.53 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is NiS2 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — vaesite (NiS2) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of NiS2 are known?
118 structures of NiS2 are reported across 5 databases, spanning 29 distinct space groups.
How is NiS2 synthesized?
Literature-reported routes for NiS2 include solid state.
What elements does NiS2 contain?
vaesite (NiS2) contains Ni and S (2 elements).
Where does the data for NiS2 come from?
NiS2 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a prominent nickel-based chalcogenide, vaesite represents a stable and well-characterized archetype within the broader family of transition metal disulfides, providing a critical benchmark for studying semiconducting behavior in pyrite-structured minerals.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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