Pure germanium is a hard, lustrous, gray-white, brittle metalloid. It has a diamondlike crystalline structure and it is similar in chemical and physical properties to silicon. Germanium is stable in air and water, and is unaffected by alkalis and acids , except nitric acid.
Is germanium highly reactive or nonreactive?
Germanium is widely distributed in nature but is too reactive to occur free .
Is germanium corrosion resistant?
Synopsis. Germanium nanowires grown by the supercritical fluid−liquid−solid (SFLS) process are significantly more resistant to surface oxidation and corrosion when passivated with alkyl monolayers using in situ hydrogermylation or thiolation.
Is germanium more reactive than silicon?
It is more reactive than silicon , which is immediately above germanium in the periodic table, but not by much. At red heat, germanium reacts with oxygen in air to from germanium dioxide.
What chemical properties does germanium have?
| Atomic number 32 | Density, g/cm 3 5.3234 | Melting point, °C 938.4 | Boiling point, °C 2,833 | Heat of fusion, kJ mol − 1 36.94 |
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Is germanium toxic to humans?
Germanium is not an essential element. Its acute toxicity is low . However, at least 31 reported human cases linked prolonged intake of germanium products with renal failure and even death.
What is germanium good for?
There have been claims that germanium may be beneficial for health, including improving the immune system, oxygen supply in the body , and destroying free radicals. According to Healthline, germanium has also been considered to be beneficial in treating allergies, asthma, arthritis, HIV/AIDS and various forms of cancer.
Why is germanium in Group 14?
Group 14 is the carbon family. The five members are carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, and lead. All of these elements have four electrons in their outermost energy level. Of the Group 14 elements, only carbon and silicon form bonds as nonmetals (sharing electrons covalently).
Is Si or Pb more metallic?
Among Sb(Antimony) and Pb(Lead), Both Sb and Pb is located on right of the periodic table . Since the metallic character decreases as we move across left to right and as we move from bottom to top , the metallic character decreases in the periodic table, Pb is more metallic element in the pair .
Why is germanium used in camera lenses?
Germanium oxide has a high index of refraction, meaning light travels through it more slowly . This gives it applications in wide angle lenses for cameras and microscope lenses. It's also used in the core parts of optical fibres.
What will germanium do to become stable?
Germanium is stable in air and water , and is unaffected by alkalis and acids, except nitric acid. ... Germanium oxide is added to glass to increase the index of refraction; such glass is used in wide-angle lenses and in infrared devices. Numerous alloys containing germanium have been prepared.
Is germanium a heavy metal?
| Hydrogen | Potassium | Calcium | Gallium | Germanium | Selenium |
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Why is germanium bad for you?
Inorganic (elemental) germanium is LIKELY UNSAFE . This includes certain compounds such as germanium oxide. There have been more than 30 reports of kidney failure and death linked with use of these forms of germanium. It builds up in the body and can damage vital organs such as the kidneys.
Is germanium safe to handle?
Route of Entry: Skin Contact Skin Absorption Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion Germanium metal is relatively non-toxic by all routes of exposure , particularly in massive forms.
Can you eat germanium?
When taken by mouth: Germanium is LIKELY SAFE when taken in food amounts . A typical daily diet includes 0.4-3.4 mg of germanium.
