Antimony ore energy storage battery

Antimony has long been regarded as a promising potential anode material for high-performance lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries as this metalloid exhibits a high charging capacity, by a factor of two higher than that of commonly used graphite.

The development of new classes of materials utilizing antimony that can convert ambient indoor light into electricity may soon power wireless smart devices (Warburton, 2021). These materials will help reduce energy consumption since it will allow some of the energy used to illuminate indoor environments to be recycled.

Antimony is under intense study because of its unique and physical properties such as in investigations as a potential new nanocomposite (consisting of Sb2O3 and Fe3O4) for use as new anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and for other high technology applications.

An obvious, but perhaps underappreciated use of antimony, is as a flame retardant in the plastic insulation around copper wiring that is found in every aspect of the energy sector as well as buildings, vehicles, and equipment (military and civilian), without which fires, system failures and other issues would be much more widespread.

Antimony is a major component of conventional lead-acid batteries, normally as a hardening agent for the lead terminals and plates, which typically contain from 8% to 11% antimony, but content can be as high as 15%.

Recycling accounts for some supply, primarily from lead-acid batteries, but much of the antimony used in the U.S. cannot be recycled and is, as a result, imported.