What are gallium and germanium? Both gallium and germanium belong to the fourth group of elements, their atomic numbers are 31 and 32 respectively, and their chemical properties are similar to silicon, but their physical properties are very different. Gallium is a silvery-white metal that has a melting point of only 298°C, which is lower than the body temperature of the human body, so it can melt in the hands. Germanium is an off-white metal, and its melting point is 938°C, which is higher than the melting point of iron, so it is difficult to melt. Both gallium and germanium are semiconductor materials that can be doped with different impurities to alter their conductivity to create various electronic devices.
What is gallium and germanium used for? Gallium and germanium have a wide range of applications in semiconductors, electronics, aviation, and other fields. Gallium can be used to make high-efficiency solar cells, high-brightness light-emitting diodes, high-frequency microwave devices, high-speed fiber-optic communications, etc. Germanium can be used to make high-performance transistors, high-sensitivity photodetectors, high-temperature thermoelectric power generation, etc. Gallium and germanium can also form alloys or compounds with other elements, resulting in more new materials and new functions. For example, gallium arsenide is a commonly used laser material, and germanium telluride is a commonly used phase change storage material.
Why are gallium and germanium rare? Gallium and germanium are two rare metals that are found in very low amounts in nature and are generally only present in trace amounts in other minerals. The main ** of gallium and germanium are bauxite and zinc ore, which are extracted as by-products during the processing of these minerals. It is estimated that for every 1 ton of aluminum refined, 004 grams of gallium; For every 1 ton of zinc refined, 02 grams of germanium. As a result, gallium and germanium are expensive to mine and are affected by aluminium and zinc ores.
Why does China have the advantage of gallium and germanium? China is the world's largest producer and exporter of gallium and germanium, mainly due to China's abundant aluminium and zinc ore resources, as well as a well-established processing industry chain. China accounts for 23% of the world's aluminium ore reserves and 16% of the world's zinc ore reserves. China's aluminium and zinc mining volumes also far exceed those of other countries, with China's aluminium ore production reaching 1200 million tons, and the output of zinc ore reached 6.5 million tons. China's gallium and germanium extraction technology is also improving, and in 2022, China's gallium production reached 606 tons, accounting for 96% of the world's total; The production of germanium reached 180,000 tons, accounting for 80% of the world. China's exports of gallium and germanium are also large, with 320 tonnes of gallium exported in 2022, accounting for 57% of the world's total; The export volume of germanium reached 120,000 tons, accounting for 67% of the world.
Why is China restricting exports of gallium and germanium? In July 2023, China announced that it would stop exports of gallium and germanium to the United States and significantly reduce exports to Japan. The move is seen as a response to the ban on high-tech exports to China by the United States and its allies, as well as a sign that China is protecting its own strategic resources. The United States and its allies have been putting pressure on China's high-tech companies to limit access to critical semiconductor chips and other advanced technologies. The United States has also added China's Huawei, ZTE, HiSilicon and other companies to the entity list, prohibiting them from cooperating with the United States. These measures have seriously affected China's high-tech development, and also threatened China's national development In order to cope with this situation, China has accelerated the pace of independent research and development and innovation, and has also taken some external adjustments to ensure its own strategic advantages. Gallium and germanium, as key materials for semiconductors, are important bargaining chips for China, and by restricting their exports, China can improve its bargaining power in the international market and also promote its domestic consumption and application, thereby reducing its dependence on foreign countries.