Metal antimony energy storage concept

Are lithium-antimony-lead batteries suitable for stationary energy storage applications?

However, the barrier to widespread adoption of batteries is their high cost. Here we describe a lithium–antimony–lead liquid metal battery that potentially meets the performance specifications for stationary energy storage applications.

Why is antimony important?

An unsung war hero that saved countless American troops during World War II, an overlooked battery material that has played a pivotal role in storing electricity for more than 100 years, and a major ingredient in futuristic grid-scale energy storage, antimony is among the most important critical metalloids that most people have never heard of.

Where is antimony used today?

"Today, antimony is used in lead-acid storage batteries for backup power and transportation; in chemicals, ceramics, and glass; in flame-retardant materials; and in heat stabilizers and plastics," according to the USGS.

Can antimony be used in next-generation batteries?

While lead-acid battery usage is expected to decline as electric motors take the place of ICE engines in the vehicles traveling global highways, antimony is finding its way into new applications in next-generation batteries that can efficiently store electricity at the grid scale.

Is Sadoway battery a solid or a liquid?

In most batteries, the electrodes — and sometimes the electrolyte — are solid. But in Sadoway’s battery, all three are liquid. The negative electrode — the top layer in the battery — is a low-density liquid metal that readily donates electrons.

Why was antimony used in WW2?

Antimony fireproofing applied to tents and vehicle covers saved the lives of countless U.S. troops during World War II. A telegram from General Dwight Eisenhower to the workers at the Stibnite Mine thanking them for supplying the World War II war effort (Click to expand).