Antimony
💄 In Your World
Antimony has a long and colorful history. The ancient Egyptians used its sulfide compound, stibnite, as a black kohl eyeliner. Today, its primary use is as a flame retardant in plastics and textiles. It's also alloyed with lead to increase the hardness and strength of lead plates in lead-acid batteries.
📖 The Discovery Story
Antimony and its compounds have been known since ancient times, so no single person is credited with its discovery. The symbol Sb comes from its historical Latin name, stibium. The name "antimony" is thought to derive from the Greek words anti monos, meaning "not alone," because it was almost never found in its pure form in nature, but rather as a compound with other elements.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 630.63 °C / 1167.13 °F |
| Boiling Point | 1587 °C / 2889 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Kr] 4d¹⁰5s²5p³ |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.00002% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Antimony is considered toxic, and its effects on the body are very similar to those of arsenic. Inhaling antimony dust can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and other health issues. Its compounds should be handled with care, and exposure should be limited, especially in industrial settings.