Definition of carbon fullerenes

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carbon fullerenes

Carbon fullerenes are a class of carbon-based molecules composed entirely of carbon atoms arranged in a hollow, closed, cage-like structure. The most well-known fullerenes are spherical and are often referred to as "buckyballs," with the most famous example being buckminsterfullerene (C60). Key characteristics and properties of carbon fullerenes include:

Structure: Fullerenes consist of carbon atoms arranged in a series of hexagons and pentagons, forming a polyhedral shape. The most common fullerene, C60, resembles a soccer ball, with 60 carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons.

Types: While C60 is the most well-known fullerene, there are other fullerenes with different numbers of carbon atoms, such as C70, C76, C84, and higher fullerenes. These molecules can vary in shape from spherical to ellipsoidal and even tubular forms.

Discovery and nomenclature: Fullerenes were discovered in 1985 by researchers Harold Kroto, Richard Smalley, and Robert Curl, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996 for this discovery. The name "fullerene" is derived from the architect Buckminster Fuller, known for his geodesic dome designs, which resemble the structure of C60.

Properties:

Chemical stability: Fullerenes are chemically stable and can undergo a variety of chemical reactions, including addition reactions, oxidation, and polymerization.

Electrical properties: Fullerenes can act as semiconductors and, under certain conditions, superconductors. They can accept and donate electrons, making them useful in electronic applications.

Mechanical strength: The unique structure of fullerenes provides them with remarkable strength and resilience, making them interesting for material science applications.

Applications:

Materials science: Fullerenes are used to create advanced materials with unique mechanical and electronic properties.

Medicine: Due to their ability to encapsulate other molecules and their biocompatibility, fullerenes are being explored for drug delivery systems and imaging agents.

Energy: Fullerenes are investigated for use in solar cells, batteries, and other energy-related applications due to their excellent electron-accepting capabilities.

Nanotechnology: Their unique size and shape make fullerenes useful in various nanotechnology applications, including the development of nanoscale devices and sensors.