X. On the properties of electro-deposited antimony

Abstract

1. While engaged in depositing antimony by the electro-process in October 1854, I observed a remarkable phenomenon of development of heat in the deposited metal when gently struck, and published a brief account of it in the Philosophical Magazine for January 1855; since that period I have investigated the phenomenon, and have now the honour of laying the results before the Royal Society. 2. In depositing this metal by the electro-process several solutions may be successfully used, consisting of compounds of the metal either with hydrochloric or tartaric acid; but those I have generally operated with have consisted,—1st, of ordinary chloride of antimony (as prepared for pharmaceutical purposes) nearly saturated with antimony, by suspending a plate of that metal in it as an anode, and passing an electric current from several pairs of zinc and silver batteries through it until a copious deposit of bright metal occurred, and until its yellow colour had nearly disappeared; and 2nd, of five parts of tartar-emetic and five parts of tartaric acid, dissolved in a mixture of two parts of hydrochloric acid and thirty parts of water; each solution being filtered before using. A most excellent solution in lieu of the first may quickly be formed by saturating ordinary chloride of antimony with tartar-emetic, using about three or four parts of the former to one of the latter; or by dissolving two parts of tartar-emetic in three parts of hydrochloric acid. I have also in place of that liquid occasionally used hydrochloric acid saturated with antimony by the battery process; and sometimes a liquid composed of seven parts of tartar-emetic dissolved in a mixture of eight parts of hydrochloric acid and four parts of water., Substituting pure acid, distilled water, and pure antimony, for those of the ordinary quality, made no material difference in the results. Each solution requires to be electrolysed a short time before it yields a good and uniform deposit.