Tartar Emetic Research Articles

PAT exposure caused human hepatocytes apoptosis and induced mice subacute liver injury by activating oxidative stress and the ERS-associated PERK pathway

With the widespread use of antimony compounds in synthetic materials and processing, the occupational exposure and environmental pollution caused by antimony have attracted the attention of researchers. Studies have shown that antimony compounds can cause liver damage, but the mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we used the trivalent potassium antimony tartrate (PAT) to infect L02 hepatocytes and Kunming (KM) mice to establish an antimony-induced apoptosis model of L02 cells and a subacute liver injury model of KM mice. We found that PAT exposure caused hepatocyte apoptosis and was accompanied by oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and the ERS-associated PERK pathway was activated. Further experimental results showed that N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) pretreatment or silencing of the PERK gene in L02 cells reduced PAT-induced apoptosis. The activity of SOD and CAT in treated L02 cells was increased, the malondialdehyde content in L02 cells and liver tissues was decreased, and the content of ERS-related proteins GRP78 and CHOP, as well as the content of PERK-pathway-related proteins p-PERK/PERK, p-eif2α/eif2α and ATF4 protein were significantly reduced. Overall, PAT exposure triggered hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury by inducing oxidative stress and activating the ERS-associated PERK pathway; however, this effect could be alleviated by NAC intervention or silencing of PERK in hepatocytes.

Composition engineering of antimony selenosulfide films using hydrothermal method for efficient solar cells

In this work, Sb2SeyS3-y films were prepared by hydrothermal method at 135 °C for 135 min. The influence of the growth solution volume, the mixing S source, the selenourea concentration and the etching by the N-butyldithiocarbamic acid (BDCA) solution in DMF on the thickness, the content of Sb–O, Se, S and the Se distribution in Sb2SeyS3-y films and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells was systematically investigated. When the growth solution volume was 30 mL and the chemical composition of the growth solution was 25 mM antimony potassium tartrate (KSbC4H4O7·0.5H2O), 75 mM Na2S2O3, 5 mM thioacetamide, 10.5 mM selenourea, the PCE of Sb2SeyS3-y solar cells were 9.56 % and 9.41 ± 0.10 %. When Sb2SeyS3-y films were etching by BDCA for 10 min, the PCE of Sb2SeyS3-y solar cells were 10.13 % and 9.95 ± 0.16 %. The result revealed that the homogeneous extent of the Se distribution in Sb2SeyS3-y films can be improved by changing the hydrothermal process parameters and the chemical composition of the growth solution. And the etching by BDCA should be an efficient strategy for eliminating the surface defects and decreasing the gradient of the Se distribution in Sb2SeyS3-y films.

Facile synthesis of Ce(III)-rich cerium oxyhydroxide and its unselective adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) via oxygen vacancies

The introduction of oxygen vacancies (OVs) into metal oxide materials is an effective method for modifying the surface properties of environmentally functional materials. However, limited attention has been paid to their roles as pollutant adsorbent. In this study, Ce(III)-enriched cerium oxyhydroxide particles (CeO(OH)2-OVs@CS) were prepared using a drop-in phase separation method and then used as adsorbents to address the challenges of conventional metal oxides that display notably lower adsorption efficiencies for Sb(V) than Sb(III). Within 60 min, more than 96 % of both Sb(III) and Sb(V) with an initial concentration of 50 mg/L were removed, with only a 2 % difference between them. XRD, XPS, EPR, and FT-IR results demonstrated that chitosan served as a carrier for Ce nanoparticles and, due to its reductive characteristics, enhanced the air stability of Ce(III), thereby creating more OVs. Meanwhile, chitosan's abundant functional groups such as OH, NH2, and CO in its structure can also facilitate the binding of Sb species onto CeO(OH)2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also indicated that antimonate ions were more prone to binding with OVs compared with defect-free crystal surfaces. Additionally, CeO(OH)2-OVs@CS showed great removal performance for organic ligands in antimony(III) potassium tartrate solution, and about 97 % of tartaric acid was removed simultaneously.

A multifunctional flame-retardant TA-MXene based nanocoating for cotton fabric

Ti3C2Tx (MXene) is an ideal thermoelectric responsive fire-warning material but subject to its poor anti-oxidation and unsatisfied flame-retardant efficiency. Herein, a novel tannic acid (TA) decorated MXene (TA-MXene) with good anti-oxidation was fabricated and then used to prepare multifunctional flame-retardant cotton fabric (MFR@CF) combined with antimony potassium tartrate and polydimethylsiloxane. MFR@CF exhibited temperature-sensing and fire-warning performance. Moreover, MFR@CF showed superior flame retardancy with limiting oxygen index of 29 %. In addition, MFR@CF also possessed good thermal camouflage and self-cleaning performance, showing great application prospect in intelligent clothing and firefighting. Our work provides a new insight for preparing multifunctional smart firefighting CF.

Two New Polar Antimony(III) Tartrates with Unusual Structural Building Units

AbstractLarge single crystals of polar tetragonal thallium antimony(III) tartrate dihydrate, Tl2[Sb2((+)C4H2O6)2]·2H2O, are grown. The crystal structure (s.g. P41), which contains the binuclear complex group [Sb2(C4H2O6)2]2− and dimer groups [Tl2O8(H2O)2], is given, together with vibrational spectra, refractive indices and their dispersion, and an analysis of SHG phase matching possibility and SHG powder measurements. The crystals allow type I phase matching for laser wavelengths ≥ 1.0103 µm. In addition, a new monoclinic (s.g. C2) antimony(III) tartrate of composition Mg[Sb3((+)C4H2O6)2((+)C4H4O6)((+)C4H5O6)]·11H2O and its crystal structure, which contains a novel type of antimony tartrate complex group [Sb3(C4H2O6)2(C4H4O6)(C4H5O6)], is presented.

Unveiling drug-tolerant and persister-like cells in Leishmania braziliensis lines derived from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Resistance against anti-Leishmania drugs (DR) has been studied for years, giving important insights into long-term adaptations of these parasites to drugs, through genetic modifications. However, microorganisms can also survive lethal drug exposure by entering into temporary quiescence, a phenomenon called drug tolerance (DT), which is rather unexplored in Leishmania. We studied a panel of nine Leishmania braziliensis strains highly susceptible to potassium antimonyl tartrate (PAT), exposed promastigotes to lethal PAT pressure, and compared several cellular and molecular parameters distinguishing DT from DR. We demonstrated in vitro that a variable proportion of cells remained viable, showing all the criteria of DT and not of DR: i) signatures of quiescence, under drug pressure: reduced proliferation and significant decrease of rDNA transcription; ii) reversibility of the phenotype: return to low IC50 after removal of drug pressure; and iii) absence of significant genetic differences between exposed and unexposed lineages of each strain and absence of reported markers of DR. We found different levels of quiescence and DT among the different L. braziliensis strains. We provide here a new in-vitro model of drug-induced quiescence and DT in Leishmania. Research should be extended in vivo, but the current model could be further exploited to support R&D, for instance, to guide the screening of compounds to overcome the quiescence resilience of the parasite, thereby improving the therapy of leishmaniasis.

Effect of thickness and Se distribution of Sb2S3-ySey thin films to solar cell efficiency

In this work, Sb2S3-ySey thin films are prepared using the hydrothermal growth solution of antimony potassium tartrate, Na2S2O3, and selenourea, and the solar cells with the architecture of FTO/CdS/Sb2S3-ySey/spiro-OMeTAD/Au are fabricated. The influence of the CdS/FTO substrate position on top and bottom and the growth solution volumes of 40 mL and 20 mL on the properties of Sb2S3-ySey thin films and the photovoltaic performance of the corresponding solar cells is systematically investigated. The results reveal that the CdS/FTO substrate position and the growth solution volume strongly influence the thickness, homogeneous extent of the Se distribution, and oriented growth along the (221) crystal plane for Sb2S3-ySey thin films. Due to the thickness increase, the hydrothermal growth of Sb2S3-ySey thin films is dominated by Nanoparticle Formation-Adsorption Pathway. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of Sb2S3-ySey solar cells is 8.14% for top and 40 mL, 8.23% for bottom and 40 mL, and 8.47% for bottom and 20 mL. When poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and tetrakis(methylthio)tetrathiafulvalene (TMT-TTF) are introduced into spiro-OMeTAD, the PCE of Sb2S3-ySey solar cells can increase to 8.83% with spiro-OMeTAD:P3HT and 9.02% with spiro-OMeTAD:TMT-TTF.

Antimony Potassium Tartrate Stabilizes Wide-Bandgap Perovskites for Inverted 4-T All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells with Efficiencies over 26%

HighlightsA versatile material-antimony potassium tartrate is added to wide-bandgap perovskite cells for the first time.Inverted wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells with a structure of ITO/MeO-2PACz/perovskite/C60/ALD-SnO2/Cu yield a champion power conversion efficiency of 20.35%.A perovskite/perovskite four-terminal tandem solar cell with efficiency of 26.3% is achieved.

Short-term exposure to antimony induces hepatotoxicity and metabolic remodeling in rats

Antimony (Sb) poses a significant threat to human health due to sharp increases in its exploitation and application globally, but few studies have explored the pathophysiological mechanisms of acute hepatotoxicity induced by Sb exposure. We established an in vivo model to comprehensively explore the endogenous mechanisms underlying liver injury induced by short-term Sb exposure. Adult female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administrated various concentrations of potassium antimony tartrate for 28 days. After exposure, the serum Sb concentration, liver-to-body weight ratio, and serum glucose levels significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Body weight gain and serum concentrations of biomarkers of hepatic injury (e.g., total cholesterol, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, and the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio) decreased with increasing Sb exposure. Through integrative non-targeted metabolome and lipidome analyses, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; phosphatidylcholines; sphingomyelins; and phosphatidylinositols were the most significantly affected pathways in female and male rats exposed to Sb. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that the concentrations of certain metabolites and lipids (e.g., deoxycholic acid, N-methylproline, palmitoylcarnitine, glycerophospholipids, sphingomyelins, and glycerol) were significantly associated with hepatic injury biomarkers, indicating that metabolic remodeling may be involved in apical hepatotoxicity. Our study demonstrated that short-term exposure to Sb induces hepatotoxicity, possibly through a glycolipid metabolism disorder, providing an important reference for the health risks of Sb pollution.

Mechanistic Study of the Transition from Antimony Oxide to Antimony Sulfide in the Hydrothermal Process to Obtain Highly Efficient Solar Cells.

Obtaining high-quality absorber layers is a major task for constructing efficient thin-film solar cells. Hydrothermal deposition is considered a promising method for preparing high-quality antimony sulfide (Sb2 S3 ) films for solar cell applications. In the hydrothermal process, the precursor reactants play an important role in controlling the film formation process and thus the film quality. In this study, Sb2 O3 is applied as a new Sb source to replace the traditional antimony potassium tartrate to modulate the growth process of the Sb2 S3 film. The reaction mechanism of the transition from Sb2 O3 to Sb2 S3 in the hydrothermal process is revealed. Through controlling the nucleation and deposition processes, high-quality Sb2 S3 films are prepared with longer carrier lifetimes and lower deep-level defect densities than those prepared from the traditional Sb source of antimony potassium tartrate. Consequently, a solar cell device based on this improved Sb2 S3 delivers a high power conversion efficiency of 6.51 %, which is in the top tier for Sb2 S3 -based solar devices using hydrothermal methods. This research provides a new and competitive Sb source for hydrothermal growth of high-quality antimony chalcogenide films for solar cell applications.

High throughput drug screening identifies resveratrol as suppressor of hepatic SELENOP expression

IntroductionSelenium (Se) is an essential trace element that exerts its effects mainly as the proteinogenic amino acid selenocysteine within a small set of selenoproteins. Among all family members, selenoprotein P (SELENOP) constitutes a particularly interesting protein as it serves as a biomarker and serum Se transporter from liver to privileged tissues. SELENOP expression is tightly regulated by dietary Se intake, inflammation, hypoxia and certain substances, but a systematic drug screening has hitherto not been performed. MethodsA compound library of 1861 FDA approved clinically relevant drugs was systematically screened for interfering effects on SELENOP expression in HepG2 cells using a validated ELISA method. Dilution experiments were conducted to characterize dose-responses. A most potent SELENOP inhibitor was further characterized by RNA-seq analysis to assess effect-associated biochemical pathways. ResultsApplying a 2-fold change threshold, 236 modulators of SELENOP expression were identified. All initial hits were replicated as biological triplicates and analyzed for effects on cell viability. A set of 38 drugs suppressed SELENOP expression more than three-fold, among which were cancer drugs, immunosuppressants, anti-infectious drugs, nutritional supplements and others. Considering a 90% cell viability threshold, resveratrol, vidofludimus, and antimony potassium-tartrate were the most potent substances with suppressive effects on extracellular SELENOP concentrations. Resveratrol suppressed SELENOP levels dose-dependently in a concentration range from 0.8 μM to 50.0 μM, without affecting cell viability, along with strong effects on key genes controlling metabolic pathways and vesicle trafficking. ConclusionThe results highlight an unexpected direct effect of the plant stilbenoid resveratrol, known for its antioxidative and health-promoting effects, on the central Se transport protein. The suppressive effects on SELENOP may increase liver Se levels and intracellular selenoprotein expression, thereby conferring additional protection to hepatocytes at the expense of systemic Se transport. Further physiological effects from this interaction require analyses in vivo and by clinical studies.

Temperature-Responsive Nanocarrier-Regulated Alternative Release of "Cargos" for a Multiplex Photoelectrochemical Bioassay of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes.

A smart temperature stimuli-driven multiplex photoelectrochemical (PEC) assay was constructed for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) detection, where the stimuli-responsive gatekeeping by regulating the alternative release of "cargo" allowed for the simultaneous detection of multiple tetracycline resistance gene, using tetA (TDNA1) and tetC (TDNA2) as the model. Dual temperature-responsive nanoassemblies were embedded in the PEC bioassay as signal DNA tages: one thermoresponsive polymer (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM)-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with loading the "cargo" of HgO nanoparticles as signal DNA1 tags (SDNA1-PNIPAM@MSN@HgONPs) and the other antimony tartrate (SbT)-anchored silica nanospheres as signal DNA2 tags (SDNA2-SbT@SiO2NSs). At 20 °C, below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, the "gatekeeper" PNIPAM in SDNA1-PNIPAM@MSN@HgONPs was in an ON state, igniting Hg2+ release through the pore of SiO2. While at above LCST (40 °C), it was in an OFF state. Likewise, the thermo-dependent dissociation of SbT endowed the grafted SDNA2 tags switching from the OFF (at 20 °C) to ON state (at 40 °C), igniting SbO+ release. The released Hg2+ and SbO+ triggered the amplified photocurrents due to the structure evolution of the photoactive layer into HgS/ZnS or Sb2S3/ZnS heterostructure, thus achieving sensitive detection of multiple ARGs: tetA, tetC, tetG, tetM, tetO, tetZ, tetX, and tetW. Combined with heat map analysis, rapid screening of the ARGs profiles in 12 samples could be realized. This bioassay is simple and accessible for multiple genes analysis with the detection limit down to 0.50 nM. And it was successfully applied for measuring tetracycline ARGs in real sludge samples.

A Novel Multi-Sulfur Source Collaborative Chemical Bath Deposition Technology Enables 8%-Efficiency Sb2 S3 Planar Solar Cells.

Sb2 S3 as a light-harvesting material has attracted great attention for applications in both single-junction and tandem solar cells. Such solar cell has been faced with current challenge of low power conversion efficiency (PCE), which has stagnated for 8 years. It has been recognized that the synthesis of high-quality absorber film plays a critical role in efficiency improvement. Here, using fresh precursor materials for antimony (antimony potassium tartrate) and combined sulfur (sodium thiosulfate and thioacetamide), a unique chemical bath deposition procedure is created. Due to the complexation of sodium thiosulfate and the advantageous hydrolysis cooperation between these two sulfur sources, the heterogeneous nucleation and the S2- releasing processes are boosted. As a result, there are noticeable improvements in the deposition rate, film morphology, crystallinity, and preferred orientations. Additionally, the improved film quality efficiently lowers charge trapping capacity, suppresses carrier recombination, and prolongs carrier lifetimes, leading to significantly improved photoelectric properties. Ultimately, the PCE exceeds 8% for the first time since 2014, representing the highest efficiency in all kinds of Sb2 S3 solar cells to date. This study is expected to shed new light on the fabrication of high-quality Sb2 S3 film and further efficiency improvement in Sb2 S3 solar cells.

Thread-Based Analytical Device for Determination of Phosphorus Content in Fertilizers

A simple microfluidic thread-based analytical device (mTAD) for determination of phosphorus content in fertilizers based on the formation of phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB) complex was proposed. The proposed mTAD was simply fabricated by stitching the 100 % cotton thread to the polyethylene (PE) mesh canvas. A color developing reagent, which are the mixture of sulfuric acid, ammonium molybdate, potassium antimony tartrate, and ascorbic acid, was firstly loaded into the middle of the thread. A sample solution was subsequently introduced into the same position to form PMB. A digital camera and image processing program were employed for evaluating color intensity of PMB. Variable parameters affecting the mTAD efficiencies were optimized i.e., solution volumes, chemical concentrations, and reaction time. The applicability of the proposed mTAD method was evaluated by analyzing fertilizer samples. The accuracy as expressed by percentages of recovery ranged between 83 and 96 %. The method was highly reproducible with the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.84 % (1 mgP/L), 0.92 % (3 mgP/L) and 1.04 % (10 mgP/L) for 10 replicates. The main features of the system are the used of commonly available materials, simple and rapid fabrication, small scale, reduced chemical waste, less sample consumption, and low-cost.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 Simple materials such as 100 % cotton thread and PE mesh canvas can be used for fabricating µTAD
 The proposed µTAD method was fast analysis and good sensitivity (as low as nmol P level within 6 minutes) by using small amount of reagent and sample solutions
 The method was successfully determining the phosphorus content in fertilizers
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Studi Kadar Fosfat (Total, Polifosfat dan Ortofosfat) pada Daerah Aliran Sungai Lamat Kecamatan Muntilan

Studies on phosphate levels (total, polyphosphate, and orthophosphate) have been carried out in the Lamat Muntilan watershed. A detergent is an approach to the amount of waste disposal of various types of phosphate in the Lamat river. High levels of phosphorus cause eutrophication, which can cause various human health problems. This study aims to determine the levels (total, polyphosphate, and orthophosphate) and compared rain and dry season with water quality standards that have been agreed upon nationally as well as theoretical studies on eutrophication pollution. This research uses the UV-Vis Spectrophotometer method by utilizing the interaction of ammonium tartrate and potassium antimonyl tartrate on orthophosphate ions to form phosphomolybdic acid which is then reduced by ascorbic acid to a modern blue color which is proportional to the number of orthophosphate ions. This modern blue color is measured at a wavelength of 880 nm. The result data showed that the average total phosphate levels of river water of 0.240 ppm in the rainy season and 0.204 ppm in the dry season, for polyphosphates were found at 0.032 ppm in the rainy season and 0.064 ppm in the dry season, while orthophosphate 0.051 ppm in the rainy season and 0.101 ppm in the dry season. In the dry and rainy seasons, there were specific differences between them. This level surpassed Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 82 Tahun 2001 about concerning Management of Water Quality and Control of Pollution Water, was not suitable for consumption directly or indirectly specifically for human needs, but if it was used for animals and plants it is still feasible. The level of all phosphate species triggered the formation of eutrophication.

Layered structures based on antimony tartrate dimers

Abstract Four complex metal antimony tartrates have been synthesized in single crystal form by slowly evaporating aqueous solutions of potassium antimony tartrate (tartar emetic) and metal nitrates or chlorides. Crystal structures of these compounds all contain infinite layers formed by linking antimony tartrate dimers with M–O bonds, with M = Li, La, Ce or Nd. Dehydration of the La and Ce compounds at elevated temperatures led to new layered structures via single-crystal to single-crystal transformations.

Eco-friendly and durable flame-retardant coating for cotton fabrics based on dynamic coordination of Ca2+-tannin acid

Eco-friendly durable flame-retardant coatings for cotton fabrics are urgently needed but remain a huge challenge. Here, we reported a highly durable flame-retardant coating without formaldehyde, halogen, or even phosphorus through co-coordination of biomass tannin acid (TA), tartar emetic (TE), and Ca2+. In this system, due to the dynamic replenishment of Ca2+ naturally present in tap water, the coating can maintain high durability during the long-term tap washing process. Meanwhile, Ca2+ can effectively catalyze TA and cotton fibers to form graphitized carbon residues, thereby achieving high flame retardancy. As a result, the treated cotton fabrics showed excellent durable flame retardancy. Even after 50 cycles of tap washing, the fabric can show much lower heat release and pass the horizontal flammability test, while the deionized water laundered samples largely reduced the flame retardancy due to the lack of Ca2+ supplementation. The analysis of the flame-retardant mechanism confirmed that the dense graphitized carbon layer formed in the condensed phase and abundant CO2 released in the gas phase can effectively prevent the transfer of heat and dilute the combustible gas, respectively. This work provides a new dynamic coordination strategy for the design and fabrication of flame-retardant coatings with high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and durability.

Integrating transcriptome and physiological analysis to reveal the essential responses of Daphnia magna to antimony trioxide nanoparticle

Antimony (Sb) pollution has already posed a severe threat to the aquatic ecosystem. However, the toxicity mechanisms of Sb on aquatic organisms are far from being elucidated. One of the crucial questions remaining unresolved is the characterization of molecular toxicity of Sb(III). Transcriptomics profiling combined with physiological characterizations was applied to investigate the response of Daphnia magna to nano-size antimony trioxide (nATO) and its soluble Sb(III) counterpart antimony potassium tartrate (APT) in the present study. Both nATO and APT induced the formation of oxidative stress, enhanced the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes, altered the metabolism of xenobiotics, increased the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO), and triggered the self-protection mechanisms such as ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. In addition, nATO and APT caused damage to the nervous system of D. magna, inhibited its locomotion and nutrient uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, nATO exposure enhanced the autophagy activity, reflected by the up-regulated expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-β, and inositol-requiring enzyme 1. The present study, for the first time, depicted a global map of cellular response to nATO, provided essential information on Sb(III) toxicity to aquatic organisms, and is of great significance to the development of Sb management strategies.

Durable flame-retardant cotton fabrics with tannic acid complexed by various metal ions

In this paper, a variety of metal ions (Ca2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+) were used to coordinate biomass tannin (TA) and tartar emetic (TE) to prepare durable flame-retardant cotton fabrics. All the obtained TATEMe systems endowed cotton fabrics with highly durable flame retardancy, while different metal ions in the system contributed to different flame retardant effects. The Ca2+ and Zn2+ flame-retardant systems showed much better smoldering performances in comparison with Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+-containing coatings. Further, the catalytic carbonization process of different metal ions on biomass TA was tracked, the material pyrolysis process was revealed, and the durable flame-retardant mechanism of biomass TA-metal complexes was clarified. The Ca2+ flame-retardant system promoted the release of CO2 and the formation of graphitized carbon in both the gas phase and the condensed phase. And Zn2+ showed a better promotion effect on graphitized carbon in the condensed phase than those of Fe2+, Co2+, and Ni2+. This work provides a reference for the research of metal ion catalyzed carbonization flame retardancy.

A novel method to prepare Sb/graphene composite with high capacity for potassium-ion batteries

Sb/graphene composite with low content of Sb (9.2 wt%) was prepared by hydrothermal method plus high-temperature calcination using potassium antimony tartrate and graphene oxide as raw materials. This composite exhibits high charge capacity (601.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), better cycle performance (345.3 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles) and rate capability (255.9 mAh g−1 at 800 mA g−1). The improved electrochemical performance benefits from the special microstructure of composite with in situ formed Sb nanoparticles and few-layer graphene and the synergetic effects of these two electroactive materials.