2.3.7

Carbon Structures - Graphene & Fullerenes

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Graphene

Graphene is an allotrope (form) of carbon. Graphene has the following properties:

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Conducts electricity

  • Each carbon atom has a delocalised electron.
  • Graphene is a single layer of graphite so it also conducts electricity because of the carbon atoms’ delocalised electrons.
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Light but strong

  • Graphene has a thickness of just 1 atom (1 layer).
  • This means that it is almost a 2-dimensional structure, and so graphene is very light.
  • But, the strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms mean that it is also very strong.
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What is graphene used for?

  • Graphene has lots of uses in electronics and composite materials (materials that have things added to make them more useful).
    • Graphene makes materials stronger without making them much heavier.
    • Graphene can be used in solar panels, batteries and much more.

Fullerenes

Fullerenes are molecules of carbon atoms that take up hollow structures. Their structure is usually carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal (6-sided) rings, but pentagonal (5-sided) and heptagonal (7-sided) carbon rings can also be found.

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Spherical fullerenes - buckminsterfullerene

  • Buckminsterfullerene was the first fullerene that was discovered.
    • Buckminsterfullerene has a spherical shape and its formula is C60.
    • Buckminsterfullerene is technically a simple molecule because of its fixed size.
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Spherical fullerenes - uses

  • Generally speaking, spherical fullerenes come in a wide range of sizes, and their common uses include:
    • Catalysts.
    • Lubricants.
    • As vehicles for transporting drugs into our bodies.
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Cylindrical fullerenes - shape

  • Carbon nanotubes are fullerenes that take the shape of a cylinder.
  • They are often called molecular wires because they have a tiny diameter but can be incredibly long.
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Cylindrical fullerenes - strength

  • Because of the strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms, nanotubes are exceptionally strong for their size.
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Cylindrical fullerenes - uses

  • The strength and electrical conductivity of nanotubes make them useful:
    • In electronics.
    • In nanotechnology.
    • For strengthening materials (e.g. tennis racket frames).

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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