Dissolution of Germanium in Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Abstract

The dissolution of germanium in aqueous hydrogen peroxide of from 3 to 90% and pH from 1 to 9 has been studied at temperatures varying from 25° to 90°C. It has been found that dissolution rate remains constant in solutions of 3–30% by weight of at low pH, then decreases with increasing content. The reaction is highly pH dependent above pH 4, and this pH dependence varies as a function of concentration. This indicates that the rate‐controlling step in low and high concentration solutions at pH 5 and above may be different. Reaction mechanism to explain this situation is proposed.