TAYLOR’S COLLEGE

CHEMISTRY (9701)
AS Level

Chapter 4: States of Matter

Fullerenes, Nanotubes
& Graphene

By: Mr. Chan M.H., Lucas

 Carbon nanoparticles
• Graphite and diamond are not the only allotropes of
carbon.

• Fullerenes which is based on rings of carbons has been

made.

• An individual particle in fullerene will have a size

between 0.1 and 100 nm.

• Another form of carbon is graphene which is a single

layer of graphite.
 Fullerenes
• Fullerenes are allotropes of carbon in the form of hollow
spheres or tubes.

• They are similar in structure to graphite where each C atom

is bonded to 3 other carbon atoms.

• The first fullerene made was called buckminsterfullerene

(bucky ball), C60.

• A total of 60 carbon atoms are present forming a sphere

consisting of five-carbon and six-carbon atom rings
arranged in the same pattern as a modern soccer ball.
Fullerenes
 Fullerenes
• Properties of bucky ball are significantly different from
those of graphite and diamond:

– The individual bucky ball has a simple molecular structure and

has weak VDW forces. Therefore it is soft.
– They have a low sublimation point, turns into vapour at about
300°C.
– It has a delocalised electron cloud but individually, they are a
poor conductor of electricity.
– Slightly soluble in solvent such as carbon disulphide and
methylbenzene.
– It’s more reactive than graphite and diamond as it can react
with hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and oxygen.
 Nanotubes
• Nanotubes are the second type of fullerene.

• Nanotubes are fullerenes of hexagonally arranged carbon

atoms like a single sheet of graphite bent into a cylinder.

• The first nanotube made were one layer of carbon atom in

thickness.

• Recently, nanotubes have been made with thicker walls

with several tubes inside one another.

• It can be made relatively long.

Nanotubes
 Nanotubes
• Properties of nanotubes:

– They have high electrical conductivity along the long axis

of the cylinder. They have delocalised electron cloud just
like graphite.
– High tensile strength. They can be 100 times stronger than
steel of the same thickness.
– High melting point, around 3500°C. Because they have
strong covalent bond throughout the structure.
 Usages of fullerenes and nanotubes
• Usages of fullerenes and nanotubes:

– Buckyball can enclose an atom/molecule of another

element inside itself. Can be use as a drug delivery
mechanism.
– Nanotubes are used as electrical circuits as wires and as
electrodes in paper-thin batteries.
– Nanotubes can be incorporated in clothing and sports
equipment for added strength.
– Nanotubes has also been used in treatment of certain type
of cancer.
 Usages of fullerenes and nanotubes
• Nanotubes are also used in polymerisation:

• Gives higher yield.

 Graphene
• Graphene is a single isolated layer of graphite.

• The hexagonally arranged sheet is not rigid and

can be distorted.

• Graphene has some properties of graphite.

• Potential use of graphene: in tiny electrical

circuits and for tiny transistors, touchscreens,
solar cells and other energy storage devices.
 Graphene
• Graphene has the properties of graphite, but they are more
exaggerated. Example:

– Graphene is the most chemically reactive form of carbon.

They burn at very low temperature and are much more
reactive than graphite.
– Graphene is very strong for its mass.
– Conducts electricity and heat much better than graphite.
Sample Questions

J17/P12