Blysulfid

Blysulfid, also known as lead(II) sulfide or plumbous sulfide, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula PbS. It is a black solid that is practically insoluble in water. Blysulfid occurs naturally as the mineral galena, which is the principal ore of lead. It can be synthesized by reacting lead with sulfur or by precipitating lead(II) ions from a solution with sulfide ions. The crystal structure of blysulfid is the sodium chloride type, where each lead ion is octahedrally coordinated by six sulfide ions, and vice versa.

In its pure form, blysulfid is a semiconductor. Its electronic properties have led to research and development in various applications, although its toxicity and environmental concerns limit its widespread use. Historically, it has been used in pigments and in some older types of batteries. Due to lead's toxicity, the use of blysulfid in consumer products is highly regulated or prohibited in many parts of the world. Its primary significance remains as a naturally occurring mineral from which lead is extracted. The processing of galena to obtain lead metal is a crucial part of the mining and metallurgy industry.