Basic study on microwave carbon-thermal reduction senarmontite (Sb2O3) to produce antimony: High-temperature dielectric properties and a microwave reduction mechanism

Abstract

Minerals with high thermal conductivities and outstanding dielectric properties have tremendous potential for microwave metallurgy. The thermogravimetric and dielectric properties and heating characteristics of a mixture ore of Sb2O3 and senarmontite were investigated at various temperatures. The mechanism of action for senarmontite and carbon powders during microwave heating is proposed. Based on the results, the authors divided microwave reduction of senarmontite by carbon powder into three stages: 25 °C–705 °C, 705 °C–800 °C, and 800 °C–1000 °C. Between 700 °C and 800 °C, the dielectric properties of the mixture ore of Sb2O3 reached the optimal level. Moreover, the microstructure and the structure of the reduced metal from microwave carbon-thermal reduction were characterized via XRD and SEM. According to the results of this study, microwave carbon-thermal reduction of senarmontite (Sb2O3) is a promising approach for producing antimony with excellent properties.