2.3.3 Graphene & Fullerenes

Properties of Graphene:

• Conducts Electricity: Like graphite, graphene conducts electricity because of its free-moving electrons.
• Strong and Flexible: Even though it's very thin, graphene is incredibly strong and flexible.
• High Melting and Boiling Points: Graphene also has high melting and boiling points, making it useful in electronics and other advanced materials.

What are Fullerenes?

• Buckminsterfullerene: This is a type of fullerene that looks like a soccer ball and is made up of 60 carbon atoms. It's slippery and has low melting and boiling points because the molecules don't hold onto each other very strongly.
• Nanotubes: These are cylindrical fullerenes (imagine rolling up graphene into a tube). They're strong, stretchy, and can conduct electricity, making them useful in nanotechnology and electronics.