Graphene & Fullerenes

• Graphene is a single layer of graphite with very strong covalent bonds. It can be used to make different shapes which we call fullerenes. As each atom donates one electron to a pool of delocalised electrons, graphene can also conduct electricity.
• Graphene is completely natural but scientists make strong thin sheets of it to form tubes, pentagons and hexagons (which are made into spheres)
• Scientists can form the spheres of fullerenes around other molecules such as drugs, so that it acts like a cage and can be used to deliver the drugs to certain areas of the body.
• Fullerenes have a large surface area to volume ratio so they can be used to make industrial catalysts.
• The tubes known as 'nanotubes' can be used in nanotechnology and electronics because they can conduct electricity.
• Fullerenes are also used to strengthen materials as they have a very high length:diameter ratio, which adds a lot of strength without weight.
• Buckminster fullerene

  • Very first fullerene
  • Hollow sphere made of 60 carbon atoms
  • C60
• We call technology that uses these tiny structures nanotechnology which is now used in loads of industries such as medicine, batteries, fashion and even food.