1.4.9

Graphene & Fullerene

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Graphene

Graphene is an allotrope (form) of carbon. It 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 is 1 atom (1 layer) thick.
  • This means that it is almost a 2-dimensional structure. This makes graphene very light.
  • However, the strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms mean that it is also very strong.
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Uses

  • Graphene has lots of uses in electronics and composite materials (materials that have things added to make them more useful).
  • It increases a material’s strength without adding much weight.
  • It can be used in solar panels, batteries and much more.

Fullerenes

Fullerenes are molecules of carbon atoms that have hollow shapes. Their structure is mainly based on hexagonal (6-sided) rings of carbon atoms, but can also contain pentagonal (5-sided) and heptagonal (7-sided) rings.

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Spherical fullerenes - buckminsterfullerene

  • The 1st fullerene to be discovered - buckminsterfullerene - is spherical.
    • It has the formula C60.
    • It 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.
    • Delivering drugs into the body.
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Cylindrical fullerenes - shape

  • Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical fullerenes.
  • 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

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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