CMI researchers at Colorado School of Mines conducted the research for this highlight
Innovation
Recovery of gallium, germanium, and indium from zinc by-products by chlorination.
Achievement
- Extraction of gallium by simple chlorination and volatilization at relatively low temperatures.
- 60% recovery of gallium by chlorination so far realized.
- Selective chlorination of Ga, Ge, and In.
Significance and Impact
- Diversifying sources for the recovery of semiconductor critical materials.
- Potential to lower U.S. imports of Ga for power electronics.
- Sustainable and resilient domestic supply of Ga, Ge, and In taking advantage of voluminous but so far untapped domestic zinc mining and refining wastes.
Hub Target Addressed
Unlocking unconventional resources. Highly selective separation from complex sources.
From 2019 data from the USGS Mineral Commodities Summaries 2021, the potential contribution to lower imports of gallium, germanium, and indium into the United States