ANTIMONY TRIOXIDE
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|
| CAS NO | 1309-64-4 |
| MOL WEIGHT | 291.518 g/mol |
| FORMULA | Sb2O3 |
| SYNONYMS | Antimonous oxide , Flowers of Antimony |
Antimony Trioxide is commonly known as ATO and has chemical formula Sb2O3. Antimony Trioxide is a white and odorless crystalline powder. It is an amphoteric oxide, which can dissolve both in alkaline and acidic solutions. ATO gives antimonites when dissolved in alkaline solution and gives polyantimonous acids when dissolved in acid solution. ATO can easily be oxidized or reduced; it can be oxidized to antimony pentoxide and various other antimony compounds. ATO is toxic, it is presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans.
Manufacturing Process
Antimony oxide can be prepared by two processes, the direct and indirect process.
Indirect process
In this process, antimony metal or ores is melted in a furnace to give ATO vapors. The vapors are quenched with air and cooled to convert the vapor to white powder .These powders are further filtered to give antimony trioxide powder.
Direct process
In this process crude antimony oxide is roasted in the presence of air to give ATO vapors. The vapors are then condensed to convert the vapor to white powder. These powders are further filtered to give antimony trioxide powder.
Antimony Trioxide enhances the effectiveness of flame retardants, when used as a synergist in combination with halogenated flame retardants in plastics, rubber, adhesives and textile back coatings. ATO is used in many appliances such as TVs, computers, industrial electrical, circuit boards, switches, etc. In transport vehicles, it plays a significant role as a flame retardant in seats, cables and plastic structures to help strive more time for escaping in case of fire.
OTHER APPLICATIONS 
1. Clarifying aid in certain glasses
2. Additive in semi-conductors.
3. Coating on certain grades of titanium dioxide pigments.
4. ATO is employed in manufacturing of complex inorganic colored rutile pigments as an essential component.
5. Pacifier in iron bath and sinking ename.
ATO enhances the effectiveness of flame retardants, when used as a synergist in combination with halogenated flame retardants in paint industry.
ATO is the major catalyst for production of PET bottles, which is the best material for plastic bottles. Detectable amount of antimony can be found and removed by washing on the surface of PET bottles.
