Graphite

• It is an allotrope of Carbon.
• A crystalline form of carbon.
• Its atoms arranged in a hexagonal
structure.
• It occurs naturally in this form.
• Under high pressures and temperatures it
converts to diamond.
• Graphite is used in
DIAMOND pencils and lubricants.
GRAPHITE FULLERENE

• It is a good conductor of heat and

electricity.
• Its high conductivity makes it useful in
electronic products such
as electrodes, batteries, and solar panels.
 Structure & Properties

• In graphite, there is sp2 hybridzation and

hybrid orbitals are arranged in hexagonal ring.
• The atoms form in planes with each bound to
three nearest neighbors 120 degrees apart.
• It possesses a layered structure.
• The individual layers are called graphene.
• In each layer, the carbon atoms are arranged
in a honeycomb lattice.
• Bond length of 1.42 Å , and the distance
between planes is 3.35 Å .
• Each carbon is bonded with three
more carbon atoms.
• The fourth electron is free to migrate
in the plane, making graphite
electrically conductive.
• Bonding between layers is through
weak van der Waals bonds, which allow
layers of graphite to slide past each
other, thus it can be used as a lubricant.
Preparation

1. Graphite can be prepared by heating coke at 3000 °C.

2. SiC Heating 3200°C  Si + C
Silicon carbide Silicon Graphite
 Fullerene

1. A fullerene is an allotrope of carbon.

2. whose molecule consists of carbon atoms connected
by single and double bonds.
3. Closed cage like structure.
4. The molecule may be a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, tube,
or many other shapes and sizes.
5. The family is named after buckminsterfullerene (C60),
the most famous member, which in turn is named
after Buckminster Fuller.
6. The closed fullerenes, especially C60, are also
called buckyballs or Soccer Ball
7. C60 cluster must be a spheroidal closed cage in the
form of a Truncated Icosahedron
8. a polygon with 60 vertices and 32 faces,
9. 12 of the faces are pentagons and 20 hexagons.
10. A pentagon surrounded by hexagons

Preparation
The preparation of fullerenes can be
carried out by heating graphite inside
an electric arc in an inert atmosphere
of noble gases. The sooty material
obtained as a result of electrification is
fullerene.
 Properties

The unique molecular structure results in extraordinary

macroscopic properties
• high tensile strength,
• high electrical conductivity,
• high ductility,
• high heat conductivity,
• and relative chemical inactivity
 Uses
1. In Solar Cells as acceptors:
Because fullerene have high electron affinity and they are
able to transfer electrons, they can act as acceptors in solar
cells
2. Hydrogen gas storage
Fullerenes are able to hydrogenate and
dehydrogenate easily due to presence of C=C double
bond.

3. Antioxidants
4. Antiviral agents
5. Gene and drug delivery
6. Photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy
 Thanks
Prof. S. Khalid Hasan
Institute of Technology & Management
GIDA, Gorakhpur
drskhasan@yahoo.com