Nickelphosphide
The nickel-rich partner of schreibersite, found in nickel-rich iron meteorites.
Key facts
- Formula
- (Ni,Fe)3P
- Family
- Phosphides, carbides, nitrides and silicides
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- First described
- iron meteorites including Butler, 1998
Nickelphosphide was approved as a new mineral in 1998 from iron meteorites, including the nickel-rich Butler iron found in Missouri. Its name describes its composition.
What it is
Nickelphosphide has the same structure as schreibersite, (Fe,Ni)3P, but with more nickel than iron. Schreibersite and nickelphosphide form a single series, and where a grain falls on it depends on how much nickel the surrounding metal held.
Where it is found
It occurs as small grains in nickel-rich iron meteorites such as Butler and in some other irons.
How it is recognised
It looks like schreibersite in polished sections: pale and hard, standing proud after polishing. Only a microprobe analysis shows that nickel outweighs iron.
Did you know?
Schreibersite and nickelphosphide may have helped bring reactive phosphorus to the early Earth.
The name of the series member depends only on which metal is more abundant.