Allotropes Of Carbon

Allotrope - Different structural forms of the same element.

Fullerenes:

• Each Carbon atom is covalently bonded to 3 other carbon atoms.
• Buckminsterfullerene has a spherical structure and has 60 atoms.
• Weak intermolecular forces and so have low melting points and makes it soft and slippery.

Graphene:

• Sheet of carbon atoms 1 atom thick.
• Light weight and strong.
• Alows free electrons to move across its surface and so is a good electrical conductor.

Giant Molecular Structures:

Graphite:

• Multiple sheets of graphene.
• Great electrical conductor, cheap and not very reactive. Used as electrodes in Electrolysis.

Diamond:

• Rigid network of atoms. Each atom is covalently bonded to 4 other carbon atoms.
• Very strong and expensive.
• Used to cut things and is also an electrical insulator as it doesn't have any free particles.