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Aluminium antimonide facts for kids

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Aluminium antimonide
Aluminium-antimonide-unit-cell.png
Identifiers
CAS number 25152-52-7
PubChem 91307
SMILES [Al]#[Sb]
Properties
Molecular formula
Molar mass 0 g mol-1
Appearance black crystals
Density 4.26 g/cm3
Melting point
Boiling point
insoluble
Band gap 1.58 eV
Refractive index (nD) 3.3
Structure
Crystal structure Zinc blende
Space group T2d-F-43m
Coordination
geometry
Tetrahedral
Hazards
MSDS MSDS
NFPA 704

NFPA 704.svg

3
0
1
 
Autoignition
temperature
590 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Aluminium antimonide is a special kind of chemical compound. Its chemical formula is AlSb. This means it is made up of aluminium and antimony atoms joined together.

While other similar compounds, like gallium antimonide, are used to make LEDs and Infrared detectors, aluminium antimonide isn't as good for these main jobs. Instead, it plays a very important role. It helps improve how other compounds are made by stopping tiny flaws or "defects" from forming. This makes the other materials work much better.

What is Aluminium Antimonide?

Aluminium antimonide is a solid material that looks black. It is known as a semiconductor. This means it can conduct electricity under certain conditions, acting like a switch that can be turned on or off.

How it Reacts

Aluminium antimonide reacts with acids. When it mixes with an acid, it produces a gas called stibine. Stibine is a compound of antimony and hydrogen.

It also acts as a reducing agent. This means it helps other chemicals gain electrons during a chemical reaction. It has properties that are a mix between a salt and an alloy. A salt is usually formed from an acid and a base, while an alloy is a mix of metals.

Uses of Aluminium Antimonide

Even though it's not the main material for LEDs, aluminium antimonide is very important in making other advanced electronic materials. It helps create high-quality layers of other compounds. These layers are crucial for making efficient LEDs and infrared detectors.

By preventing defects, it ensures that the electronic devices made from these materials work reliably. This makes it a key ingredient in the world of modern electronics.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Antimoniuro de aluminio para niños

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