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FACILE SYNTHESIS OF COPPER ANTIMONITE |
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| Authors: | Walter W Focke Sfiso S Mkhize Rowan Storey Olinto Del Fabbro Elmar Muller |
| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Applied Materials, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Pretoria , Hatfield , South Africa walter.focke@up.ac.za;3. Institute of Applied Materials, Department of Chemical Engineering , University of Pretoria , Hatfield , South Africa;4. Research and Technology, AEL Mining Services , PO Modderfontein , South Africa |
| Abstract: | Copper antimonite, CuSb2O4, is a candidate oxidant for use in time delays for mining detonators. A facile process for the synthesis of copper antimonite comprises the reaction of antimony trioxide with copper-ammonia complex with excess ammonia at reflux conditions (ca. 65°C) for about 1 h. Thereafter the reaction is driven to completion by driving off the ammonia by distillation. A well-crystallized product with a cuboid crystal habit approximately 4 µm in size is obtained. |
| Keywords: | Copper antimonite Pyrotechnic Synthesis Time delay |