4.6 Graphene & Fullerenes

Question 1

Graphene (4)

Answer 1

• Graphene is a single sheet of graphite.
• The carbon atoms are arranged in hexagons, and each atom forms three covalent bonds.
• Graphene’s a bit of a wonder material - its covalent bonds make it extremely strong and a sheet of graphene is so thin that it’s transparent and incredibly light.
• Its delocalised electrons are completely free to move about, which makes it even better at conducting electricity and thermal energy than graphite

Question 2

Why is graphene so good at conducting electricity and thermal energy?

Answer 2

Each of the atoms donates one of it’s electrons to a delocalised pool of electrons

Question 3

Where can graphene be found?

Answer 3

In the ground in the form of graphite

Question 4

What can fullerenes (spheres) be used for? (2)

Answer 4

• Scientists are able to form the spheres around other molecules, such as drugs, so that it acts like a cage and can deliver the drugs all around the body.
• As fullerenes have a large surface area : volume ratio, they could be used to make industrial catalysts, which are used to speed up chemical reactions.

Question 5

What can fullerenes (tubes) be used for? (2)

Answer 5

• ‘Nanotubes’ can be used in ‘nanotechnology’ and in electronics, due to their ability to conduct electricity.
• They can be used to strengthen other materials, like tennis racket frames. This is because of their very high length : diameter ratio (they are very long and thin), so they can add strength without adding much weight.

Question 6

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 __________.

Answer 6

fullerenes

Question 7

What is the formula of the first spherical fullerene produced, known as the Buckminster fullerene?

Answer 7

C60

Question 8

Which feature of carbon nanotubes makes them useful in tennis racket frames?

Answer 8

Their high strength to weight ratio