Why antimony can store energy

Why is antimony a good material?

While antimony's cosmetic status has waned over the past five millennia, the metalloid's ability to resist heat and corrosion, make stronger lead alloys, produce clearer glass for high-tech devices, and store renewable energy has created new uses for the ancient metal.

Is antimony a contested resource?

As the clean energy transition accelerates, critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements have become buzzwords in business, international relations, and sustainability. Yet amid the scramble for these well-known resources, another metal – antimony – has quietly emerged as another keenly contested resource.

Is antimony a mineral?

Antimony is not a mineral, it is an element. The most common mineral containing antimony is stibnite. Despite its lack of fanfare, antimony is a critical mineral that plays an important role in the mass storage of renewable energy.

Why is antimony important to US National Security?

In the past, China has imposed restrictions on the exports of antimony-based products to the U.S., which reduced availability and increased prices. Because of this, antimony was identified as one of the 35 minerals that are critical to U.S. national security.

Where is antimony used today?

"Today, antimony is used in lead-acid storage batteries for backup power and transportation; in chemicals, ceramics, and glass; in flame-retardant materials; and in heat stabilizers and plastics," according to the USGS.

What is antimony and why is it deemed critical?

Antimony (Sb), a silvery metalloid,1 is isolated and processed from the mineral stibnite (Sb2S3) for commercial use in a variety of downstream products and industries; its key properties are its ability to harden and strengthen certain metals.