Antimony energy storage equipment manufacturing

Can antimony be used as a battery metal?

Antimony is key for the transition to a low carbon future. As a glass clarifier in solar panels or as a metal strengthener to wind turbine components, antimony plays an important role in producing clean energy. More recently, antimony is gaining recognition as a battery metal for its role in “liquid metal battery” technology.

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.

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.

Why is antimony important?

Often used for its unique fire retardant and metal strengthening properties, antimony is essential to many technologies, energy and defense applications. Yet, with no domestically mined source and an unstable supply, the U.S. Department of the Interior has deemed antimony as one of the 50 critical minerals.

Will USAC supply antimony?

In February 2019, USAC announced it had signed a non-binding letter of interest regarding the potential supply of antimony with AMBRI, a company that utilizes antimony in its novel off-grid storage batteries. Historic production of antimony from Bolivia is second only to Chinese production.

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.