Antimony trioxide

Antimony(III) oxide is the inorganic compound with the formula Sb₂O₃. It is the most important commercial compound of antimony. It is found in nature as the minerals valentinite and senarmontite. Like most polymeric oxides, Sb₂O₃ dissolves in aqueous solutions with hydrolysis.

Production and properties

Global production of antimony(III) oxide in 2012 was 130,000 tonnes, an increase from 112,600 tonnes in 2002. China produces the largest share followed by US/Mexico, Europe, Japan and South Africa and other countries (2%).

As of 2010, antimony(III) oxide was produced at four sites in EU27. It is produced via two routes, re-volatilizing of crude antimony(III) oxide and by oxidation of antimony metal. Oxidation of antimony metal dominates in Europe. Several processes for the production of crude antimony(III) oxide or metallic antimony from virgin material. The choice of process depends on the composition of the ore and other factors. Typical steps include mining, crushing and grinding of ore, sometimes followed by froth flotation and separation of the metal using pyrometallurgical processes (smelting or roasting) or in a few cases (e.g. when the ore is rich in precious metals) by hydrometallurgical processes. These steps do not take place in the EU but closer to the mining location.

Antimony trioxide (data page)

Also Known as Sb2O3. It has a melting point of 656°C, and a boiling point of 1550°C. It is a Cubic Crystal Structure with a density of 5.2G/Cm3

This page provides supplementary chemical data on antimony trioxide.

Material Safety Data Sheet

Structure and properties

Thermodynamic properties

Spectral data

References

Except where noted otherwise, data relate to standard ambient temperature and pressure.

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