Antimony, with an atomic number of 51, is a chemical element in the metalloid family. Like arsenic and silicon, it is shiny and silvery gray.
Applications
Antimony is used in the electronics industry to make semiconductor devices, is alloyed with other metals for storage batteries, and is a catalyst for textile production processes.
Challenges
Antimony has regulatory levels in some countries for drinking water and wastewater due to its link to various human health effects and toxicity to aquatic species. Antimony in copper electrolyte solution causes an uneven surface of the metal.
Solutions
Resin technology is implemented within two types of applications.
Removal from Copper Electrolyte Streams
Antimony is a common impurity found in copper. The electrolysis process removes the impurity from copper, allowing it to be used for manufacturing.
Ion Exchange can be usd to remove antiomny from copper electrolye. The amino phosphonic-type resins are recommended, such as
Purolite Puromet™ MTS9500 and
Purolite Puromet MTS9510PF.
For more information, visit
Metals Plating Products.
Removal from Drinking Water
Short-term exposure to antimony in drinking water can cause various human health effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Antimony is found in wastewater streams of mining, textile, and electronics industrial processes, which are regulated at municipal wastewater treatment sites or individual site discharges. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the maximum contaminant level for antimony is 6 parts per billion. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s antimony guideline level is 0.02 mg/L.
Antimony can be removed from drinking water with an iron-impregnated polystyrenic macroporous resin such as
Purolite Ferrix™ A33E.
For more information, visit
Potable and Ground Water Products.
