Allotropes Of Carbon Flashcards
Why does allotropes mean
Different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state
Name 4 allotropes of carbon
Diamond
Graphite
Graphene
Fullerenes
Describe diamond
Very hard: has a giant covalent structure made up of carbon atoms that each form four covalent bonds
High melting point: need energy to break strong covalent bonds
Doesn’t conduct electricity: no delocalized electrons
Describe graphite
Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds, creating sheets of carbon atoms arranged in hexagons
No covalent bonds between layers- weak so they’re free to move over eachother- soft and slippery
High melting point- the covalent bonds need lots of energy to break
Conducts electricity - 3/4 carbons outer electrons are used in bonds, so each carbon atoms has one electron that’s delocalised
Describe graphene
One sheet of carbon atoms joined together in hexagons - one atom thick - 2D
Strong - covalent bonds
Contains delocalised electrons - can conduct electricity, used in electronics
Describe fullerenes
Molecules of carbon shaped like closed tubes or hollow balls
What are fullerenes made from
Carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal rings
What can fullerenes be used for
To cage other molecules
The structure forms around a molecule, which is then trapped inside
Eg: deliver a drug into the body
Why do fullerenes have a huge surface area
Help make industrial catalysts
And
Lubricants
What else can fullerenes form
Nanotubes- ting carbon cylinders
The ratio between length and diamanter is very high
Can conduct electricity and heat
High tensile strength (don’t break when stretched)
What is technology called that uses nanotubes
nanotechnology
Eg: electronics or strengthen materials without adding weight, eg tennis racket frames
What we the first fullerene to be discovered
Buckministerfullerene (C60)
Spherical shape
