Antimony mainly exists in sulfide mineral stibnite (Sb2S3) in nature. It is known that antimony compounds were used as cosmetics in ancient times, and metallic antimony was also recorded in ancient times, but it was mistaken for lead at that time. About17th century, people know that antimony is a chemical element.
Since the end of the 20th century, China has become the world's largest producer of antimony and its compounds, most of which are produced in tin mines in Lengshuijiang City, Hunan Province. The industrial production method of antimony is roasting first, then reducing with carbon at high temperature, or directly reducing stibnite with metallic iron.
Physical and chemical properties of antimony;
1, physical properties
Antimony is a gray metal with silvery luster, and its Mohs hardness is 3. Therefore, pure antimony can't be used to make hard objects: coins made of antimony were issued in 193 1 year in Guizhou province, China, but antimony was easy to wear and suffered serious losses in circulation.
2. Chemical properties
Antimony is a nitrogen group element (15 group) with an electronegativity of 2.05 (Pauling scale). According to the periodic law of elements, its electronegativity is greater than that of tin and bismuth and less than that of tellurium and arsenic. Antimony is stable in air at room temperature, but it can react with oxygen to form antimony trioxide when heated. Antimony does not react with acid under normal circumstances.
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