Potassium antimonide
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Other names
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3D model (JSmol)
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| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.037.117 |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| 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) |
| reacts with water | |
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Related compounds
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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Potassium antimonide is a binary inorganic compound of potassium and antimony with the molecular formula K3Sb.[1][2]
Synthesis
The compound is synthesized by fusing the elements:
- 3K + Sb → K3Sb
Physical properties
The compound forms yellow-green cystals of the hexagonal crystal system, space group P63/mmc.[3][4]
A cubic form of K3Sb 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:
- K3Sb + 3H2O → H3Sb + 3KOH
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
- ^ Indian Science Abstracts. Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre. 1979. p. 1190. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Bretherick, L. (1985). Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. Butterworths. p. 1258. ISBN 978-0-408-01388-8. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Memoir. The Society. 1934. p. 442. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "mp-14017: K3Sb (hexagonal, P63/mmc, 194)". Materials Project. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ 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. Bibcode:1966JAP....37..174S. doi:10.1063/1.1707801. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "potassium antimonide (K3Sb) General Information". materials.springer.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Schaber, Jana; Xiang, Rong; Gaponik, Nikolai (2023). "Review of photocathodes for electron beam sources in particle accelerators". Journal of Materials Chemistry C. 11 (9): 3162–3179. doi:10.1039/D2TC03729G. Retrieved 26 January 2026.