Stibnite

Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral with the formula Sb2S3. This soft grey material crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group.[6] It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony.[7] The name is derived from the Greek στίβι stibi through the Latin stibium as the former name for the mineral and the element antimony.[3][4]

For the region in the U.S. state of Idaho, see Stibnite Mining District.
Stibnite
General
CategorySulfide mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)		Sb2S3
IMA symbolSbn[1]
Strunz classification2.DB.05a
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classDipyramidal (mmm)
H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupPbnm
Unit cella = 11.229 Å, b = 11.31 Å,
c = 3.8389 Å; Z = 4
Identification
ColorLead-gray, tarnishing blackish or iridescent; in polished section, white
Crystal habitMassive, radiating and elongated crystals. Massive and granular
TwinningRare
CleavagePerfect and easy on {010}; imperfect on {100} and {110}
FractureSubconchoidal
TenacityHighly flexible but not elastic; slightly sectile
Mohs scale hardness2
LusterMetallic[2]
StreakLead grey
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity4.63
Optical propertiesAnisotropic
SolubilityDecomposed with hydrochloric acid
References[3][4][5]
Major varieties
MetastibniteEarthy, reddish deposits

Structure

Stibnite has a structure similar to that of arsenic trisulfide, As2S3. The Sb(III) centers, which are pyramidal and three-coordinate, are linked via bent two-coordinate sulfide ions. However, some studies suggest that the actual coordination polyhedra of antimony are SbS7, with (3+4) coordination at the M1 site and (5+2) at the M2 site. Some of the secondary bonds impart cohesion and are connected with packing.[8] Stibnite is grey when fresh, but can turn superficially black due to oxidation in air.

Properties

The melting point of Sb2S3 is 823 K (550 °C; 1,022 °F).[9] The band gap is 1.88 eV at room temperature and it is a photoconductor.[10]

Uses
A microscopic section of stibnite

Pastes of Sb2S3 powder in fat[11] or in other materials have been used since c. 3000 BC as eye cosmetics in the Mediterranean and farther afield; in this use, Sb2S3 is called kohl. It was used to darken the brows and lashes, or to draw a line around the perimeter of the eye.[12]

Antimony trisulfide finds use in pyrotechnic compositions, namely in the glitter and fountain mixtures. Needle-like crystals, "Chinese needles", are used in glitter compositions and white pyrotechnic stars. The "dark pyro" version is used in flash powders to increase their sensitivity and sharpen their report. It is also a component of modern safety matches. It was formerly used in flash compositions, but its use was abandoned due to toxicity and sensitivity to static electricity.[13]

Stibnite was used ever since protodynastic ancient Egypt as a medication and a cosmetic.[12] The Sunan Abi Dawood reports, “prophet Muhammad said: 'Among the best types of collyrium is antimony (ithmid) for it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.'"[14]

The 17th century alchemist Eirenaeus Philalethes, also known as George Starkey, describes stibnite in his alchemical commentary An Exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle. Starkey used stibnite as a precursor to philosophical mercury, which was itself a hypothetical precursor to the philosopher's stone.[15]

Occurrence

Stibnite occurs in hydrothermal deposits and is associated with realgar, orpiment, cinnabar, galena, pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, cervantite, stibiconite, calcite, ankerite, barite and chalcedony.[3]

Small deposits of stibnite are common, but large deposits are rare. The world's largest deposit of antimony, the Xikuangshan mine, yields high quality crystals in paragenesis with calcite. It occurs in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Japan, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, England, Algeria, and Kalimantan, Borneo. In the United States it is found in Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska.

As of May 2007, the largest specimen on public display (1000 pounds) is at the American Museum of Natural History.[16][17] The largest documented single crystals of stibnite measured ~60×5×5 cm and originated from different locations including Japan, France and Germany.[18]

  • Stibnite from Herja mine, Romania
    Stibnite from Herja mine, Romania
  • Needles of stibnite within a transparent crystal of calcite (size: 4.5×3.5×1.8 cm)
    Needles of stibnite within a transparent crystal of calcite (size: 4.5×3.5×1.8 cm)
  • Ray of sharp, striated, iridescent metallic stibnite blades
    Ray of sharp, striated, iridescent metallic stibnite blades
  • Structure of stibnite
    Structure of stibnite
  • Antimonite crystals (longest crystal: 7 cm) intergrown with calcite (length: 3 cm) from Xikuangshan Mine
    Antimonite crystals (longest crystal: 7 cm) intergrown with calcite (length: 3 cm) from Xikuangshan Mine

See also

References
  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. "Stibnite | Antimony, Sulfide, Ore | Britannica".
  3. Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Stibnite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  4. Stibnite, Mindat.org, retrieved 19 July 2022
  5. Barthelmy, David (2014). "Stibnite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  6. "Circular". United States National Bureau of Standards. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1–6 (539): 6. 1953.
  7. Sabina C. Grund, K. Hanusch, H. J. Breunig, H. U. Wolf, "Antimony and Antimony Compounds" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2006, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a03_055.pub2
  8. Kyono A (2002). "Low-temperature crystal structures of stibnite implying orbital overlap of Sb 5s 2 inert pair electrons". Physics and Chemistry of Minerals. 29 (4): 254–260. Bibcode:2002PCM....29..254K. doi:10.1007/s00269-001-0227-1. S2CID 95067785.
  9. Mills, K. C. (1974). Thermodynamic data for inorganic sulphides, selenides and tellurides. London: Butterworths. ISBN 040870537X. OCLC 1031663.
  10. Madelung, O. (Otfried) (2004). Semiconductors : data handbook (3rd ed.). Berlin: Springer. ISBN 3540404880. OCLC 56192440.
  11. Priesner, Claus; Figala, Karin, eds. (1998). Alchemie. Lexikon einer hermetischen Wissenschaft (in German). München: C. H. Beck. ISBN 978-3-406-44106-6.
  12. "Ancient Egyptian make-up". Pitt Rivers Museum. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  13. *Pyrotechnic Chemical Guide". PyroUniverse.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-14.
  14. Sunan Abu-Dawud. Book 32, Number 4050. Translated by Ahmad Hasan.
  15. Newman, William R. (1996). "Decknamen or pseudochemical language? Eirenaeus Philalethes and Carl Jung". Revue d'histoire des sciences. 49 (2–3): 159–188. doi:10.3406/rhs.1996.1254. PMID 11618553.
  16. "American Museum of Natural History, Spectacular Stibnite". American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  17. "Chinese stibnite crystal on display in US". Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  18. P. C. Rickwood (1981). "The largest crystals" (PDF). American Mineralogist. 66: 885–907.
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