Germanium Recovery using Catechol Complexation and Permeation through an Anion-Exchange Membrane

Abstract

Germanium in solution was recovered on an anion-exchange membrane after complexation with 3-methylcatechol. The complex was transferred to the anion-exchange membrane by convection, which meant diffusion was not the rate-determining step as in conventional resin recovery. In batch mode, the optimum solution pH was 8, and at this pH the method was selective for germanium against silicate ion. In continuous mode at pH 11.0 and 2.0, the germanium ion was selectively adsorbed as a complex ion in the membrane. This system could be applied to hydrometallurgy processes for the recovery of germanium.

Keywords:

• anion-exchange membrane
• catechol
• convection
• germanium
• hydrometallurgy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by Saga University Dean's Grant 2010 for Promising Young Researchers.