Scribd
Upload
91 views

The Allotropes of Carbon: Diamond Graphite Fullerenes Nanochemistry

The document discusses four allotropes of carbon: diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and nanotubes. Allotropes are different physical forms of the same element that have different physical properties but similar chemical properties. Diamond and graphite are crystalline forms that differ in bonding structure, leading to large differences in properties like hardness and conductivity. Fullerenes are spherical or tubular structures made of pentagons and hexagons of carbon atoms.

Uploaded by

Tong Kwun Chan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
91 views

The Allotropes of Carbon: Diamond Graphite Fullerenes Nanochemistry

The document discusses four allotropes of carbon: diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and nanotubes. Allotropes are different physical forms of the same element that have different physical properties but similar chemical properties. Diamond and graphite are crystalline forms that differ in bonding structure, leading to large differences in properties like hardness and conductivity. Fullerenes are spherical or tubular structures made of pentagons and hexagons of carbon atoms.

Uploaded by

Tong Kwun Chan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

The allotropes of carbon

 Diamond
 Graphite
 Fullerenes
 Nanochemistry
Allotropes are different physical forms of the same element.

different physical properties, but similar chemical


properties

Different ways of bonding between the atoms, and so


different molecular shape

Eight allotropes of carbon: a) Diamond, b)


Graphite, c) Lonsdaleite, d) C60 (
Buckminsterfullerene or buckyball), e)
C540, f) C70, g) Amorphous carbon, and h)
single-walled carbon nanotube or
buckytube.
Diamond
Each carbon in a diamond crystal is bonded to four other carbon
atoms making a giant macromolecular array (lattice).
•Diamond dies are used for drawing thin wires .

Properties of diamond
Hard
Brittle
Insulator
Insoluble in water
Very high melting point

Uses of diamond

 Jewelry
 Diamond dies are used for drawing thin wires
 cutting glasses n drilling rocks
Graphite
 Planes of trigonal carbon atoms joined in a honeycomb pattern

 Carbon atoms is bonded to three others at 120˚

 Arranged in sheets to form 3D crystals


Properties of graphite
 Soft and slippery
 Brittle
 Electrical conductor
 Insoluble in water
 Very high melting point

Uses of graphite
Lubricant
 Electrodes in electric furnace
 Electroplating
 Lead pencil
 Manufacture of refractory crucible
Diamonds and graphite are two crystalline allotropes of
carbon. Diamond and graphite both are covalent crystals.
But, they differ considerably in their properties
Comparison of the Properties of Diamond and Graphite

Diamond Graphite

It occurs naturally in free state.


It occurs naturally and is manufactured
artificially.
It is the hardest natural substance known.
It is soft and greasy to touch.
It has high relative density (about 3.5).
Its relative density is 2.3.
It is transparent and has high refractive
index (2.45).
It is black in colour and opaque.
Graphite is a good conductor of heat and
It is non-conductor of heat and
electricity.
electricity.
It bums in air at 700-800°C to give CO2.
It burns in air at 900°C to give CO2.

It occurs as hexagonal crystals.


It occurs as octahedral crystals.
It is insoluble in all ordinary solvents
It is insoluble in all solvents.
Fullerenes
Small molecule of in which the giant structure is closed over into spheres
of carbon atoms (bulky balls) or tubes(nano tubes)

 Bulkminsterfullerene- Smallest fullerenes have 60 carbons arranged in


pentagons and hexagons

 The bonding has delocalised pi molecular orbitals extending throughout


the structure and the carbon atoms are a mixture of sp2 and sp3
hybridised systems.
Properties of fullerenes
 Soft and slippery
 Brittle
 Electrical insulator
 Insoluble in water
 Low melting point

Application of fullerene

 Nano-oil for lubrication enhancement in friction surfaces

You might also like