Antimony

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.

Properties

General

Name, Symbol, Number

Antimony, Sb, 51

Series

metaloids

Group, Period, Block

15 (V), 5 , p

Density, Hardness

6697 kg/m³, 3

Appearance

silvery lustrous grey

Atomic

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

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

Velocity 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)

1^st ionization potential

834 kJ/mol

2^nd ionization potential

1594.9 kJ/mol

3^rd ionization potential

2440 kJ/mol

4^th ionization potential

4260 kJ/mol

5^th ionization potential

5400 kJ/mol

6^th ionization potential

10400 kJ/mol

Most Stable Isotopes

iso	NA	half-life	DM	DE M eV	DP
¹²¹Sb	57.36%	Sb is stable with 70 neutrons
¹²³Sb	42.64%	Sb is stable with 72 neutrons
¹²⁵Sb	{syn.}	2.7582 y	Beta^-	0.767	¹²⁵Te

SI units & STP are used except where noted.

Notable Characteristics

Antimony has poor heat and electrical conductance. This is brittle, laminated or crystalline, fusible, 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.

Uses

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. 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.

History

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.

Sources

Even though this element is not abundant, it is found in over 100 mineral species. Alimony is sometimes found native, but more frequently it is found in the sulfide stibnite.

Precautions

Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic.

Information sources and external links:

WebElements.com - Antimony
EnvironmentalChemistry.com - Antimony