Sources of Gallium and Electrolytic Extraction Methods

Sources of Gallium and Electrolytic Extraction Methods   

         Gallium (Ga) is a rare metal found mainly in ores and certain compounds.

In bauxite gallium often accompanies aluminium in the ore.Gallium high purity

extraction relies heavily on electrolytic extraction methods The electrolytic extraction

of gallium primarily involves the reduction of its compounds to the metal gallium.

The following is a typical electrolysis process:

•  Feedstock Preparation:

      First, appropriate gallium compounds such as gallium chloride (GaCl₃) or gallium

hydroxide (Ga(OH)₃) are selected.These compounds are usually obtained by chemical

reactions or by extraction from ores.

• Electrolyte Preparation:

     The gallium compound is dissolved in a suitable electrolyte, commonly used electrolytes

include aqueous solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium fluoride (NaF), which helps

to increase conductivity.

• Electrolysis unit construction:

    Using an electrolysis tank, an anode and cathode are set up.The anode is usually an inert

material such as graphite or platinum, while the cathode is a collection electrode for gallium.

• Electrolysis process:

   In the presence of a power source, an electric current is passed through an electrolyte and

an electrochemical reaction takes place.At the anode, chloride ions are oxidised, releasing

chlorine gas, while at the cathode, gallium ions from the gallium compound are reduced

and deposited on the cathode to form pure gallium metal.

• Collection and purification:

The deposited gallium metal forms a solid on the cathode, and after proper cleaning and

separation, high purity gallium can be obtained.

Sources of Gallium and Electrolytic Extraction Methods