Approaching Germanium Dioxide: Morphology, Property and Usage

Table of Contents

Introduction

Germanium dioxide usually occurs in the form of white powder or colorless crystals and has a variety of crystal structures, including tetragonal, hexagonal, and amorphous forms.

It will undergo structural transformation under high pressure and exhibit different chemical behaviors. It is insoluble in water, but can be dissolved in strong acids and bases to produce the corresponding compounds.

Structure & Morphology of Germanium Dioxide

The appearance of Germanium Dioxide is white powder or colorless crystal, tetragonal, hexagonal or amorphous. Hexagonal crystals are isomorphic to β-quartz, germanium is tetragonal, and tetragonal crystals have a superquartz type structure, similar to rutile, where germanium is hexagonal. Under high pressure, the amorphous germanium dioxide transforms into a hexagonal structure. With the decrease of pressure, the structure of germanium dioxide gradually changed into tetrad coordination.

Germanium Dioxide

Germanium dioxide is insoluble in water, does not react with water, is mainly acidic amphoteric oxide. It can be dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid to form germanium tetrachloride, and can also be dissolved in strong alkali solution to form germanate, such as: GeO2+2NaOH=Na2GeO3+H2O. Germanium tetrachloride reacts with 6.5 times the volume of distilled water overnight to produce insoluble germanium oxide. The solid is washed in cold water until the lotion is free of chloride ions, and then dried at 200°C to obtain the germanium oxide.

Production method & Usage

Germanium dioxide is generally obtained by germanium heating oxidation or hydrolysis of germanium tetrachloride, in addition to the production of metal germanium, but also used as a raw material for the preparation of other germanium compounds.

Such as the preparation of polyethylene terephthalate resin catalyst and spectral analysis and semiconductor materials. Manufacture of optical glass phosphor, as a catalyst for petroleum conversion, dehydrogenation, adjustment of gasoline fractions, for color film and polyester fiber production.

Security and Limitations

With the development of technology, germanium dioxide is widely used in the production of high purity Germanium, germanium compounds, chemical catalysts, PET resin and electronic devices, etc. It should be noted that although the form of GeO2 powder is similar to organic germanium (Ge-132) , but it is toxic, can not be taken.

Conclusion

Germanium dioxide is not only a raw material for the production of germanium metal and other germanium compounds, but also plays a role in catalysts, optical glasses, phosphors, electronic devices and other fields. Despite its multiple beneficial properties, its toxicity cannot be ignored, so extra care is needed when handling and using it.

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