{"title":"Recovery of germanium from zinc smelting leachates: a review","authors":"Shuxuan Hu, Zhanqing Lu, Xingbin Li, Rongjing Yang, Chang Wei, Zhigan Deng, Minting Li","doi":"10.1007/s10311-025-01844-5","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Germanium is a critical element used in optical materials, electronic semiconductors, optical fibers, catalysts, sensors, medicine and health. Worldwide, 36% of the annual refined germanium comes from lead zinc sulfide ores, and more than 90% of germanium enters the zinc smelting system as an associated impurity with the zinc roasting sand. Here we review the recovery of germanium in zinc smelting processes, with focus on germanium reserves, applications and demand, recovery methods and extraction mechanisms. Recovery methods include tannin precipitation, ion exchange and solvent extraction. Extraction mechanisms are described for acidic, alkaline, neutral and synergistic extractions.</p>","PeriodicalId":541,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry Letters","volume":"305 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":20.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Chemistry Letters","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-025-01844-5","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Germanium is a critical element used in optical materials, electronic semiconductors, optical fibers, catalysts, sensors, medicine and health. Worldwide, 36% of the annual refined germanium comes from lead zinc sulfide ores, and more than 90% of germanium enters the zinc smelting system as an associated impurity with the zinc roasting sand. Here we review the recovery of germanium in zinc smelting processes, with focus on germanium reserves, applications and demand, recovery methods and extraction mechanisms. Recovery methods include tannin precipitation, ion exchange and solvent extraction. Extraction mechanisms are described for acidic, alkaline, neutral and synergistic extractions.
期刊介绍:
Environmental Chemistry Letters explores the intersections of geology, chemistry, physics, and biology. Published articles are of paramount importance to the examination of both natural and engineered environments. The journal features original and review articles of exceptional significance, encompassing topics such as the characterization of natural and impacted environments, the behavior, prevention, treatment, and control of mineral, organic, and radioactive pollutants. It also delves into interfacial studies involving diverse media like soil, sediment, water, air, organisms, and food. Additionally, the journal covers green chemistry, environmentally friendly synthetic pathways, alternative fuels, ecotoxicology, risk assessment, environmental processes and modeling, environmental technologies, remediation and control, and environmental analytical chemistry using biomolecular tools and tracers.