Chemistry:Potassium antimonide
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3D model (JSmol)
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| K3Sb | |
| Molar mass | 239.055 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | yellow-green crystals |
| Density | 2.37 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 812 °C (1,494 °F; 1,085 K) |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
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Potassium antimonide is a binary inorganic compound of potassium and antimony with the molecular formula K
3Sb.[1][2]
Synthesis
The compound is synthesized by fusing the elements:
- 3K + Sb → K
3Sb
- 3K + Sb → K
Physical properties
The compound forms yellow-green cystals of the hexagonal crystal system, space group P63/mmc.[3][4]
A cubic form of K
3Sb can be obtained as a thin film by first oxidizing the surface of an antimony layer before introducing potassium.[5]
Chemical properties
Potassium antimonide reacts with water, producing stibine and potassium hydroxide:
- K
3Sb + 3H
2O → H
3Sb + 3KOH
- K
Uses
The compound is recognized for its applications in electronics, particularly within photocathodes and photomultiplier tubes. Its capacity to release electrons upon light exposure renders it essential in equipment that depends on effective photoemission.[6][7]
References
- ↑ (in en) Indian Science Abstracts. Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre. 1979. p. 1190. https://books.google.com/books?id=5gggAQAAMAAJ&q=Potassium+antimonide+K3Sb. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ Bretherick, L. (1985) (in en). Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. Butterworths. p. 1258. ISBN 978-0-408-01388-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=C3BRAAAAMAAJ&q=Potassium+antimonide+K3Sb. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ (in en) Memoir. The Society. 1934. p. 442. https://books.google.com/books?id=SP_vAAAAMAAJ&q=Potassium+antimonide+K3Sb. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ "mp-14017: K3Sb (hexagonal, P63/mmc, 194)". Materials Project. https://legacy.materialsproject.org/materials/mp-14017/.
- ↑ Sommer, A. H.; McCarroll, W. H. (1 January 1966). "A New Modification of the Semiconducting Compound K3Sb". Journal of Applied Physics 37 (1): 174–179. doi:10.1063/1.1707801. Bibcode: 1966JAP....37..174S. https://pubs.aip.org/aip/jap/article-abstract/37/1/174/171777/A-New-Modification-of-the-Semiconducting-Compound?redirectedFrom=fulltext. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ "potassium antimonide (K3Sb) General Information". materials.springer.com. https://materials.springer.com/substance/112773/potassium_antimonide.
- ↑ Schaber, Jana; Xiang, Rong; Gaponik, Nikolai (2023). "Review of photocathodes for electron beam sources in particle accelerators" (in en). Journal of Materials Chemistry C 11 (9): 3162–3179. doi:10.1039/D2TC03729G. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/tc/d2tc03729g. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
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