Sodium antimonate, also known as sodium metaantimonate or sodium hexahydroxoantimonate(V), is a chemical compound with the formula NaSb(OH)_6. It has several uses across various fields:
Fire Retardant
Sodium antimonate is used as a flame retardant in plastics, textiles, and other materials. It works by releasing water vapor and other gases when exposed to fire, which dilutes the oxygen and suppresses the combustion process.
Catalyst
It can act as a catalyst in organic synthesis reactions, particularly in the production of certain esters and polymers.
Glass Industry
Sodium antimonate is used in the glass industry as a fining agent to remove bubbles and other imperfections from molten glass during production.
Ceramics
In ceramics, it can be used as a flux, aiding in the melting of raw materials and reducing the firing temperature required for ceramic production.
Electronics
It finds application in electronics, particularly in the manufacturing of ceramic capacitors.
Paints and Coatings
Sodium antimonate is utilized in paints and coatings as a pigment and as a corrosion inhibitor.
Battery Industry
In some instances, sodium antimonate has been explored for potential applications in batteries, particularly in research related to sodium-ion batteries.