Graphene & Fullerenes

• • Graphene is just a single layer of graphite, which consists of carbon atoms arranged into flat hexagons. 
  • Each carbon has one delocalised electron, so graphene can conduct electricity
• • Graphene can be found naturally within graphite.
  • The sheets can be folded into two types of 3D structure: tubes and spheres, which are known as fullerenes
• • Fullerenes are allotropes of carbon, made by bending sheets of graphene into hollow structures.
  • Nanotubes made from these are useful in electronics. This is because each carbon atom has one delocalised electrons which can carry charge
•  applications of fullerenes in industry:

  • catalysts in chemical reactions
  • delivery of medicine around the body
• What is the formula of the first spherical fullerene produced, known as the Buckminster fullerene:

  • C60