|
General |
Name, Symbol, Number | Antimony, Sb, 51 |
Series | metalloids |
Group, Period, Block | 15 (VA), 5 , p |
Density, Hardness | 6697 kg/m3, 3 |
Appearance | silvery lustrous grey |
Atomic Properties |
Atomic weight | 121.760 amu |
Atomic radius (calc.) | 145 (133) pm |
Covalent radius | 138 pm |
van der Waals radius | no data |
Electron configuration | [Kr]4d10 5s2 5p3 |
e- 's per energy level | 2, 8, 18, 18, 5 |
Oxidation states (Oxide) | ±1 (mildly acidic) |
Crystal structure | Rhombohedral |
Physical Properties |
State of matter | Solid |
Melting point | 903.78 K (1167.13 °F) |
Boiling point | 1860 K (2889 °F) |
Molar volume | 18.19 ×10-3 m3/mol |
Heat of vaporization | 77.14 kJ/mol |
Heat of fusion | 19.87 kJ/mol |
Vapor pressure | 2.49 E-9 Pa @ 6304 K |
Speed of sound | __ m/s at __ K |
Miscellaneous |
Electronegativity | 2.05 (Pauling scale) |
Specific heat capacity | 210 J/(kg*K) |
Electrical conductivity | 2.88 106/m ohm |
Thermal conductivity | 24.3 W/(m*K) |
1st ionization potential | 834 kJ/mol |
2nd ionization potential | 1594.9 kJ/mol |
3rd ionization potential | 2440 kJ/mol |
4th ionization potential | 4260 kJ/mol |
5th ionization potential | 5400 kJ/mol |
6th ionization potential | 10400 kJ/mol |
Most Stable Isotopes |
|
SI units & STP are used except where noted. |
Antimony is a
chemical element in the
periodic table that has the symbol Sb and
atomic number 51. A
metalloid, antimony has four allotropic forms. The stable form of antimony is a blue-white metal. Yellow and black antimony are unstable non-metals. Used in flame-proofing,
paints,
ceramics, enamels, a wide variety of
alloys, and
rubber.
Antimony in its elemental form is a silvery white, brittle, fusible, crystalline solid that exhibits poor electrical and heat conductivity properties and
vaporizes at a low
temperatures. A metalloid, antimony, resembles metal in its appearance and physical properties, but does not chemically react as a metal. It is also attacked by
oxidizing acids and
halogens.
Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 ppm. Antimony is chalcophile[?], occurring with sulfur and the heavy metals lead, copper, and silver.
Antimony is increasingly being used in the
semiconductor industry in the production of
diodes,
infrared detectors, and
Hall-effect devices. As an
alloy, this semi-metal greatly increases
lead's hardness and mechanical strength. The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. Other uses;
- Batteries,
- antifriction alloys,
- type metal,
- small arms and tracer bullets,
- cable sheathing
Antimony compounds in the form of; oxides, sulfides[?], sodium antimonate, and antimony trichloride are used in the making of flame-proofing compounds, ceramic enamels, glass, paints, and pottery. Antimony trioxide is the most important of the antimony compounds and is primarily used in flame-retardant formulations. These flame-retardant applications include such markets as children's clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers.
Antimony (
Greek anti plus
monos meaning "a metal not found alone") was recognized in antiquity in various compounds and was later known as a metal at the beginning of the
17th century and possibly earlier. This element was first scientifically reported by
Tholden[?] in
1450.
The natural sulfide of antimony,
stibnite[?], was known and used in Biblical times as
medicine and as a
cosmetic. Thre relationship between antimony's modern name and its symbol is complex; the
Coptic name for the cosmetic powder antimony sulfide was borrowed by the
Greeks, which was in turn borrowed by
Latin, resulting in
stibium. The chemical pioneer
Jacob Berzelius used an abbreviation of this name for antimony in his writings, and his usage remained.
Even though this element is not abundant, it is found in over 100
mineral species. Antimony is sometimes found native, but more frequently it is found in the sulfide
stibnite[?] (Sb
2S
3) which is the predominant ore
mineral. Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and single crystals.
Antimony and many of its compounds are
toxic.