Germanium tetrachloride (GeCl₄)

Description

1. Product Overview
Germanium tetrachloride (GeCl₄) is the highest-purity intermediate compound essential for the production of optical-grade germanium materials and advanced fiber optic cables. Its primary industrial use lies as the precursor for germanium metal and germanium dioxide (GeO₂), critical for infrared optics, semiconductor substrates, and high-speed telecommunications. The key value proposition is its ability to deliver ultra-low hydroxyl (OH⁻) and metal impurity profiles, directly translating into superior signal transmission and thermal imaging performance. Strategically, it is indispensable as global demand surges for 5G infrastructure, autonomous vehicle LiDAR, and defense-grade night vision systems.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Germanium tetrachloride (GeCl₄), CAS No. 10038-98-9

• Purity level: 99.9999% (6N) to 99.999999% (8N) – Optical and Semiconductor grades available

• Physical characteristics: Colorless, fuming liquid; pungent odor; density 1.879 g/cm³ at 20°C; boiling point 86.5°C

• Critical impurities (max): Al, As, Fe, Cu, Si < 0.1 ppm; OH⁻ < 50 ppb for fiber-grade

• Packaging options: Quartz ampoules (1–5 kg), stainless steel drums (50–220 kg), ISO-tanks (up to 18 MT)

• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in sealed, corrosion-proof containers under inert gas (N₂ or Ar)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Telecommunications (Optical Fiber Preforms): Used in modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) to dope silica cores. GeCl₄ increases refractive index with minimal signal loss – outperforms phosphorus-based dopants in bandwidth and temperature stability.

• Infrared Optics (Night Vision & Thermal Imaging): Reduced to polycrystalline germanium for high-precision lenses. Our GeCl₄ yields blanks with >98% transmission in 8–14 µm range, superior to chalcogenide alternatives for military and surveillance drones.

• Semiconductor Substrates: Produces epitaxial germanium wafers for high-mobility transistors (PMOS) and multi-junction solar cells. Lower defect density (≤10³ cm⁻²) than vapor-grown alternatives.

• PET Catalysts: Select grade for antimony-free polyester resin production, offering 20% faster reaction kinetics without heavy metal contamination.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Statistical process control (SPC) with batch-to-batch CV < 1.5% on all trace metals – audited to ISO 9001:2025 and IATF 16949 standards.

• Supply reliability: Dedicated production lines with 800 MT/year capacity. Dual-source raw material strategy (fly ash recycling + primary germanium concentrate) ensures no single-point failure.

• Logistics capability: Corrosion-resistant ISO-tank fleet with real-time GPS tracking; door-to-door delivery to 47 countries within 14–21 days.

• Price competitiveness: Long-term contracts (12–36 months) with price indexation to Minor Metals Trade Association (MMTA) benchmarks. Volume discounts from 20 MT.

• Sustainability & technical support: Closed-loop chlorine recovery system reduces waste by 92%. Full SDS, CoA, and ICP-MS batch reports included. 24/7 technical application engineering support.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 500 kg (laboratory / pilot qualification)

• BULK 20MT: Full container load pricing available

• Loading capacity per container:

  • 20 ft ISO-tank: 18–20 metric tons (net weight)

  • 40 ft container (drums): 22 metric tons (220 kg drums × 100)