Nano Chemistry – Assessed Homework

Nano Chemistry – Assessed Homework

Buckminsterfullerene [pic 1]

First of all, the Buckminsterfullerene is the shape of football and is formed by carbon atoms forming pentagons and Hexagons. As well as this it is not actually a giant covalent structure but a giant molecule. It is made up of 60 carbon atoms. They are very strong. They are useful in reinforcing structures where they need to be light but strong.

Diamond

 In this structure a carbon atom is covalently bonded with four other carbon atoms leaving no electrons or ions free; this is why it does not conduct electricity. Its lattice is in the shape of a pyramid. As it a carbon atom is surrounded by 4 other it is extremely tough and hard.  [pic 2]

          Comparison

The difference between these two ae that the shape of their lattice unlike Diamond, Buckminsterfullerene is not a pyramid it is in the shape of a football. And Diamond is a carbon atom surrounded by 4 bonded together but Buckminsterfullerene is carbon atoms joined together in hexagons and pentagons. Despite this there are some qualities that are alike; for example, they both are made up of carbon atoms.

Graphite

Graphite contains layers of the carbon atom Each carbon atom is bonded into its layer with three strong covalent bonds. There are weak forces between the layers which means that they can easily slide over one another. Because they only have three other bonds this means that there is a spare electron which, with all of these spare electrons they can form a sea of delocalised electrons. [pic 3]

Comparison – Graphite and Buckminsterfullerene

The difference between these two is that graphite is formed in layers whereas Buckminsterfullerene is a football shape. Despite this they are both made up of carbon but Buckminsterfullerene does not have a sea of delocalised atoms as it does not have a free bond so it cannot slide over each other so it is fixed unlike graphite which does have a delocalised electron.

Graphene

Graphene is a honeycomb lattice made of carbon atoms and as well as this it is a thin layer of pure carbon. It is the thinnest compound known to man. Even though it is so thin it is the is still very strong this is very beneficial as it is strong without taking up to much space, the downside to this is that it very expensive. A layer of graphene is so thin it is almost 2D and the thickness is 0.142 nanometres.[pic 4]