From Hydrogen to Tellurium - GERMANIUM

Germanium


Germanium, with 32 electrons, is the 32nd element in the table. During the week I came across this very colourful periodic table and have included it because it shows the different chemical groups in different colours. As you can see, Germanium is one of the semi metals often called metaloids. It is one that prior to this week I knew very little about.

Named after the country, Germany, Germanium was discovered in 1886 by a German chemist. It is obtained today by smelting zinc ores and from the burning of certain types of coal. It is the fifteenth most abundant element in the earth's crust.


Its main use is in the computer industry where it is used in semi conductors.


Interestingly, Germanium has a low toxicity in mammals but is highly toxic to some bacteria. Investigations are going on into its use as a means of killing bacteria or treating bacterial infections.


In some factories Germanium dioxide is used to help start the reaction used in the making of PET for drinks bottles.