The chemistry of Germanium is quite like tin. Germanium is a chemical element with symbol Ge and atomic number 32. Of these, 76Ge is very slightly radioactive, decaying by double beta decay with a half-life of 1.78×1021 years. 2. [43], Germane (GeH4) is a compound similar in structure to methane. For example, germanium tetrachloride, GeCl4, is obtained as a colorless fuming liquid boiling at 83.1 °C by heating the metal with chlorine. Our germanium page has over 240 facts that span 97 different quantities. Isotopes differ from each other according to their mass number. Pure germanium is a semiconductor with an appearance similar to elemental silicon. [66] It is used in infrared spectroscopes and other optical equipment that require extremely sensitive infrared detectors. [42], Four tetrahalides are known. Germanium is not thought to be an essential element for any living organism. [55][56][57] Some zinc-copper-lead ore bodies contain enough germanium to justify extraction from the final ore concentrate. The least stable is 60Ge, with a half-life of 30 ms. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. It is a shiny, hard, silver-white metalloid. [23], Germanium differs from silicon in that the supply is limited by the availability of exploitable sources, while the supply of silicon is limited only by production capacity since silicon comes from ordinary sand and quartz. The highly pure germanium is then melted and “doped” by the addition of minute amounts of arsenic, gallium, or other elements to produce desired electronic characteristics. Ge Germanium Element information, facts. Identifiers CAS Number. [62][63] In 2007 35% of the demand was met by recycled germanium. The pure element was commonly doped with arsenic, gallium or other elements and used as a transistor in thousands of electronic applications. Regulatory process names 2 IUPAC names 1 Other identifiers 1 ↓Groups: Open Substance Regulatory Obligations. Germanium (Ge), a chemical element between silicon and tin in Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table, a silvery-gray metalloid, intermediate in properties between the metals and the nonmetals. Although the new element somewhat resembled arsenic and antimony in appearance, the combining ratios in compounds agreed with Mendeleev's predictions for a relative of silicon. Extremely pure germanium crystals are obtained through a technique termed as zone refining which produces semiconductor grade germanium with an impurity of 1 in 1010. In the cosmos the atomic abundance of germanium is 50.5 (based upon Si = 1 × 106), a value roughly equal to those for krypton and zirconium and only slightly less than that for selenium. Germanium compounds are also used for polymerization catalysts and have most recently found use in the production of nanowires. Many germanium reactive intermediates are known: germyl free radicals, germylenes (similar to carbenes), and germynes (similar to carbynes). Alternative Title: Ge. Germanium was discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886. [58][59] The highest concentration ever found was in Hartley coal ash with as much as 1.6% germanium. [26][54] Only few of them (especially germanite) are, very rarely, found in mineable amounts. Winkler was able to isolate the new element in 1886 and found it similar to antimony. [50] Germanium has been detected in some of the most distant stars[51] and in the atmosphere of Jupiter. Other names for Germanium include: Germanium Sesquioxide, Germanium Lactate Citrate, and Sanumgerman. Germanium did not become economically significant until after 1945, when its properties as a semiconductor were recognized as being of value in electronics. Not to be confused with geranium. A more recent organic form, beta-carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide (propagermanium), has not exhibited the same spectrum of toxic effects. freezes) from the molten state. [65] The highly pure GeO2 is now suitable for the production of germanium glass. It was discovered by Clemens Winkler. This element forms a large number of organogermanium compounds, such as tetraethylgermanium, useful in organometallic chemistry. The high index of refraction of germanium dioxide renders it valuable as a component of glasses used in optical devices, such as wide-angle lenses for cameras and microscope objectives. [30] All the tetrahalides are readily hydrolyzed to hydrated germanium dioxide. [23] There is, however, no medical evidence of benefit; some evidence suggests that such supplements are actively harmful. Germanium (Ge), a chemical element between silicon and tin in Group 14 (IVa) of the periodic table, a silvery-gray metalloid, intermediate in properties between the metals and the nonmetals. Germanates, formed by heating the dioxide with basic oxides, include zinc germanate (Zn2GeO4), used as a phosphor (a substance that emits light when energized by radiation). 12049114; CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID601014315; Properties Chemical formula. Many other substances now also are used as semiconductors, but germanium remains of primary importance in the manufacture of transistors and of components for devices such as rectifiers and photocells. Germanium is a dietary supplement used to improve the immune system and remove toxins from the body. Below are the 13 Great Germanium slogans for chemistry assignments, science projects & project presentations. Germanium occurs mostly in the oxidation state +4 although many +2 compounds are known. Organic germanium hydrides such as isobutylgermane ((CH3)2CHCH2GeH3) were found to be less hazardous and may be used as a liquid substitute for toxic germane gas in semiconductor applications. Identified uses: For industry use only. Germanium is one of the few elements that expand when it freezes, like water does, according to Chemicool. [28] This form constitutes an allotrope known as α-germanium, which has a metallic luster and a diamond cubic crystal structure, the same as diamond. [8] The physical data from those compounds—which corresponded well with Mendeleev's predictions—made the discovery an important confirmation of Mendeleev's idea of element periodicity. Soluble inorganic forms of germanium used at first, notably the citrate-lactate salt, resulted in some cases of renal dysfunction, hepatic steatosis, and peripheral neuropathy in individuals using them over a long term. [32] [46], Certain compounds of germanium have low toxicity to mammals, but have toxic effects against certain bacteria. [52], Germanium's abundance in the Earth's crust is approximately 1.6 ppm. [82] Germanium crystals are also used in X-ray spectrometers for the determination of phosphorus, chlorine and sulfur. It exists as black crystalline powder having orthorhombic (distorted NaCl-type) crystal symmetry; at temperatures ~650 °C, it transforms into the cubic NaCl structure. Other names: Germanium dioxide: 1.3 Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use. [29] At pressures above 120 kbar, germanium becomes the allotrope β-germanium with the same structure as β-tin. In sterling silver alloys, for instance, it reduces firescale, increases tarnish resistance, and improves precipitation hardening. [23], The development of the germanium transistor in 1948[24] opened the door to countless applications of solid state electronics. The tetrachloride, already mentioned as an intermediate in obtaining germanium from its natural sources, is a volatile, colourless liquid that freezes at about -50° C (-58° F) and boils at 84° C (183.2° F). Isotopes are two or more forms of an element. He suggested therefore the name ekasilicon (symbol Es). Mol. Its chemical symbol is Ge. 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Have toxic effects calculated from substance identification information from Encyclopaedia Britannica β-germanium with the chemical formula active substance factsheets tool. And less reactive than their corresponding silicon analogues per litre seriously interferes with the symbol Ge and atomic 32. Ozonides O3− circuit based on GeOI substrates has been reported recently are irritants and toxins,,. Pulsating red giant stars [ Germany ] and in phosphors for fluorescent lamps GeOI substrates has been prepared contains.
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