Graphene & Fullerenes Flashcards
All 7 cards in this deck
What is graphene?
A single layer of graphite — a sheet of carbon atoms in hexagonal rings, one atom thick.
Which properties of graphene make it useful in electronics and composites?
It conducts electricity (delocalised electrons) and is very strong for its very low mass.
What are fullerenes?
Molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes, based on hexagonal rings but they may also contain rings of five or seven carbon atoms.
Which fullerene was the first to be discovered, and what shape is its molecule?
Buckminsterfullerene, — it is spherical (ball-shaped).
What is a carbon nanotube?
A cylindrical fullerene with a very high length to diameter ratio, useful in nanotechnology, electronics and materials.
Give two uses of fullerenes.
Any two from: drug delivery round the body, lubricants, catalysts, hydrogen storage, strengthening materials (nanotubes).
True or false? Fullerenes are made only from hexagonal rings of carbon atoms.
False. Their structure is based on hexagonal rings, but they may also contain rings of five or seven carbon atoms.