Production of Germanium
Germanium can be found in the Earth’s crust is approximately 1.6 ppm. However, Germanium is produced primarily as a byproduct of zinc ore processing, although it can also be obtained from some copper and lead ores
Germanium can be widely produced from the ore sphalerite. Sphalerite ore is converted to the germanium oxides by heating in the presence of air, this process is known as roasting. The oxide of germanium is reduced by using carbon form germanium.
GeS2 + 3O2 → GeO2 + 2 SO2
The germanium oxide thus obtained is reduced using hydrogen producing germanium element which is then used in semiconductor industry\
GeO2 + 2H2 → Ge + 2H2O
When germanium is used by steel industry, it is often reduced using carbon
GeO2 + C → Ge + CO2
Germanium
Germanium is an essential chemical element with semiconducting properties. Its chemical symbol is Ge. Germanium is lustrous, hard-brittle, grayish – white type element. In this article, we will learn each and every aspect related to germanium, such as what it is, its properties, uses, and many more details.
|
Symbol |
Ge |
|---|---|
|
Atomic Number |
32 |
|
Atomic Mass |
72.630 |
|
Discoverer |
Clemens Winklers |