7 Carbon

Question 1

Define allotropes

Answer 1

The existence of some elements that have several different structural arrangements.

Question 2

What are the different carbon allotropes?

Answer 2

Diamond - covalent network lattice, where each carbon is surrounded by four other carbons in a tetrahedral arrangement
graphite - covalent layer lattice, where each carbon is bonded to 3 other carbons in layers, one delocalised electrons per carbon atom.

Question 3

What is Graphene?

Answer 3

Graphene is a single layer of graphite. It is soft due to the week dispersion of forces between those.

Question 4

What makes Graphene useful?

Answer 4

Could replace silicon in computer chips due to its high electrical conductivity
Could be used in desalination plants as water under pressure can pass through the thin layer, but dissolved impurities cannot
Could be used in organic photovoltaic cells
Could be used to reinforce composite materials because of its strength

Question 5

Define fullerenes

Answer 5

Fullerene, a hollow cluster of carbon atoms, is a polygon resembling a soccer ball. The spherical fluorine’s are referred to as buckyballs.

Question 6

What are potential applications for fullerenes?

Answer 6

Include fibres and fabrics electrical circuits photovoltaic cells and filtration systems

Question 7

What are the properties of nanotubes?

Answer 7

Closely related to Graphene, they are Long Hollow structures with the walls formed from Graphene. They have unique strength, electrical conductivity, thermal, conductivity, strong forces of attraction to each other.