Germanium

Historical Information and Origins

Historical Background

Germanium was discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886 in Germany. It was discovered during the isolation of a mineral called agyrodite.  Because it was discovered in Germany, the name comes from the Latin root germania, meaning Germany. (Barbalace)

http://www.seilnacht.com/Lexikon/32German.htm

Germanium's existence was first predicted by Mendeleev in 1871, due to the gaps in his newly created Periodic Table. (Bentor) (Gagnon) He originally called it ekasilicon due to its predicted similarities in properties to silicon, and due to its predicted spot in the Silicon group on the Periodic Table. (Germanium)

Origins

Germanium is obtained by the melting of zinc "ores". The Germanium is the byproduct of the melting.  Germanium may also be produced by burning various types of coal, and again it would be found as a byproduct. (Gagnon) However, almost  a quarter of the Germanium that is used comes from its extraction from recycled metals. Most of this Germanium does not come from the United States, but instead from countries in Europe, such as Germany and Belgium. (Germanium)

For commercial purposes, Germanium is typically extracted from coal ash. This may eventually turn out to be a vital means of production for Germanium, as the other sources run out. (Germanium)

Isolation is an easy way to produce pure Germanium. For example, by mixing Germanium Tetrachloride and Hydrogen, hydrochloric aid and Germanium are produced. Germanium Oxide can be mixed with Carbon to produce pure Germanium and Carbon Dioxide as well. Also, Germanium Oxide can be mixed with Hydrogen to form Water and pure Germanium. (Winter)

Fun Fact:

In 1997, a gram cost about $3.00, while in 2000, the price per gram lowered to $1.50. This demonstrates that Germanium is becoming more common, or a cheaper way of producing it has been found due to the lowering of the prices.