ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of stibine. It presents detailed information on the air analysis of stibine. Stibine is used as a fumigating agent, colorless gas with a disagreeable odor, slightly soluble in water, highly toxic and flammable gas. It decomposes slowly at ambient temperature and dissolves in organic solvents. During the air analysis of stibine, air is drawn through a solid sorbent tube containing HgCl2-coated silica gel. Stibine is extracted out from the sorbent trap with 15 mL conc. HCl. Then, acid extract is diluted to a measured volume. An aliquot of the sample extract is treated with ceric sulfate. Antimony in HCl extract may also be measured by atomic absorption or ion current profile (ICP) emission spectrometry. A cellulose ester membrane is used if paniculate antimony compounds are suspected to be present in the air.
