Solubility of Germanium Dioxide in Commonly Used Acids—Effect of Acid Strength, Temperature, and Water Activity

Abstract

Despite the ubiquity of applications for germanium, there is a lack of practically useful solubility data in acidic solutions. Previous studies were done at ambient temperature and only for commonly used acids (H2SO4, HCl). Hence, an investigation of the solubility of GeO2 in different acids was undertaken. Several inorganic and organic acids were studied in the concentration range of 1-11 mol/L and at 23, 40, and 60°C. In the case of H2SO4 and HCl previous data was confirmed. Lower acidity resulted in a higher solubility for Ge at all tested temperatures. Tests done at 40 and 60°C and low to moderate acidity levels, gave slightly increased solubility values at higher temperatures compared to 23°C. This wasn't the case at higher acidity levels, i.e., the solubility curves at different temperatures converge at high acidity. Lastly, a relationship of water activity and GeO2 solubility in different acid media was established.