Production
Most commercial production of germanium is from treating flue-dusts of zinc- and copper-ore smelters, although a significant source is also found in the ash from the combustion of certain types of coal called vitrain. Germanium tetrachloride is an intermediate for the purification of germanium metal or its oxide, GeO2.
Germanium tetrachloride can be generated directly from GeO2 by dissolution of the oxide in concentrated hydrchloric acid. The resulting mixture is fractionally distilled to purify and separate the germanium tetrachloride from other products and impurities. The GeCl4 can be rehydrolyzed with deionized water to produce pure GeO2, which is then reduced under hydrogen to produce germanium metal.
Production of GeO2, however, is dependent on the oxidized form of germanium extracted from the ore. Copper-lead-sulfide and zinc-sulfide ores will produce GeS2, which is subsequently oxidized to GeO2 with an oxidizer such as sodium chlorate. Zinc-ores are roasted and sintered and can produce the GeO2 directly. The oxide is then processed as discussed above.
Read more about this topic: Germanium Tetrachloride
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