Abstract: The basic behavior of self-induced flotation and externally controlled voltages flotation of pentlandite was investigated.It was shown that pentlandite exhibit good self-induced floatability in the acidic condition and the self-induced floatability can be changed under externally controlled voltages.However，the self-induced floatability of pentlandite can not be realized and even hardly be improved by externally controlled voltages in alkaline condition.Through the cyclic voltammetric curve analysis on the externally controlled voltages，the sulphur element may be the primary hydrophobic entity on the surface of pentlandite.

Key words: Pentlandite, Self-induced, Externally controlled voltages, Flotation