Germanium

Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a lustrous, hard-brittle, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to its group neighbors silicon and tin. Pure germanium is a semiconductor with an appearance similar to elemental silicon.

History

Germanium was discovered by Clemens Winkler in the late 19th century, and named after his homeland, Germany. It was isolated in 1886. Winkler found the new element along with silver and sulfur, in a rare mineral called argyrodite.

Characteristics

Germanium is a hard, grayish-white element that has a metallic luster and same crystal structure as diamond. In addition, it is important to note that germanium is a semiconductor, with electrical properties between those of a metal and an insulator. The energy gap is 0.67 eV.

Applications

Germanium is used for fiber-optic systems and infrared optics, but has also been used for other purposes. It is used for polymerization catalysts and have most recently found use in nanowire growth.

Health effects

Germanium is considered to be physiologically inert. However, this does not mean that it can be ingested without harm. Germanium can interfere with metabolic processes. Germanium supplements can be harmful and have led to cases of peripheral neuropathy.

See also

• List of chemical elements
• Periodic table
• Semiconductor

External links

• Royal Society of Chemistry - Germanium

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