Stibnite
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Infobox mineral Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral, a mineral form of antimony trisulfide ( Sb2S3). It is a soft, metallic grey crystalline solid with an orthorhombic space group.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony.<ref>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. {{#invoke:doi|main}}</ref> The name is derived from the Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} Template:Transliteration through the Latin {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} as the former name for the mineral and the element antimony.<ref name=Handbook>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Mindat>Template:Mindat</ref>
StructureEdit
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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Stibnite is grey when fresh, but can turn superficially black due to oxidation in air.
PropertiesEdit
The melting point of Sb2S3 is Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The band gap is 1.88 eV at room temperature and it is a photoconductor.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Stibnite is also toxic upon ingestion, with symptoms similar to those of arsenic poisoning.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
UsesEdit
Pastes of Sb2S3 powder in fat<ref name=priesner>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="Pitt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref>*Pyrotechnic Chemical Guide". PyroUniverse.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-14.</ref>
Stibnite was used ever since protodynastic ancient Egypt as a medication and a cosmetic.<ref name="Pitt"/> 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.Template:'"<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
OccurrenceEdit
Stibnite occurs in hydrothermal deposits and is associated with realgar, orpiment, cinnabar, galena, pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, cervantite, stibiconite, calcite, ankerite, barite and chalcedony.<ref name=Handbook/>
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.
Historically, the Romans used stibnite mined in Dacia to make colourless glass, the making of which ended when this province was lost to the Roman Empire.<ref name="Degryse Gonzalez Vanhaecke Dillis 2024 p. 104344">Template:Cite journal</ref>
As of May 2007, the largest specimen on public display (1000 pounds) is at the American Museum of Natural History.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The largest documented single crystals of stibnite measured ~60×5×5 cm and originated from different locations including Japan, France and Germany.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- StibineRoumanie.jpg
Stibnite from Herja mine, Romania
- Stibnite-Calcite-203075.jpg
Needles of stibnite within a transparent crystal of calcite (size: 4.5×3.5×1.8 cm)
- Stibnite-21985.jpg
Ray of sharp, striated, iridescent metallic stibnite blades
- Kristallstruktur Stibnit.png
Structure of stibnite
See alsoEdit
- List of minerals
- Stibnides, compounds of antimony