Antimony metal and energy storage

Why is antimony important?

An unsung war hero that saved countless American troops during World War II, an overlooked battery material that has played a pivotal role in storing electricity for more than 100 years, and a major ingredient in futuristic grid-scale energy storage, antimony is among the most important critical metalloids that most people have never heard of.

Why is antimony considered a critical material?

Antimony is considered a critical material due to its expanding uses, particularly in battery technology and electrical and energy related technologies. Over the past decade, antimony appeared in over a thousand U.S. electrical applications patents.

Could antimony be a key component in battery technology?

The future increase in demand for antimony lies in its potential to become a crucial component in battery technology. Antimony’s unique property as a heat retardant is essential in preventing thermal runaway in batteries, making it a crucial element in the development of effective energy storage systems.

Is antimony a heat retardant?

Antimony’s unique property as a heat retardant is essential in preventing thermal runaway in batteries, making it a crucial element in the development of effective energy storage systems. Its heat retardant properties enable the mass scalability of batteries, making it the only metal capable of achieving this goal. Antimony molten salt batteries

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.

Are lithium ion batteries based on antimony?

No, lithium-ion batteries are not based on antimony. However, antimony is used in the cathodic material of liquid metal batteries (LMBs), an emerging battery technology that has longer life cycles than contemporary lithium-ion batteries.