Essay On Carbon Allotropes

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The aim of this essay is to explain the chemical and physical properties of carbon allotropes which are graphite, diamond, buckminsterfullerene, amorphous carbon and their applications in industry. Allotropes are element which is made up of the same material and have different ways of bonding to form different structure (NOVA 1995)(KALDOR 1988).There are four types of carbon allotropes which are diamond , graphite ,amorphous carbon and buckminsterfullerene (Evan, 2001) . Graphite is a slippery, black material which has high melting point and is insoluble in water. Therefore, graphite electrodes are used in electrochemical industries where corrosive gases are produced and used in high temperature electric furnace (Graphite, Encarta online, 2001).
Moreover, diamonds are transparent, hard and lustrous …show more content…

Each carbon atom in buckminsterfullerene form 3 bonds with other 3 carbon atoms. Buckminsterfullerene is one type of fullerene and its formula is C60. The arrangement of carbon atoms in buckminsterfullerene is pentagon and hexagon.
When in solution, it is deep red in colour even though it is a black solid. Buckminsterfullerene is conductor of electricity as it consist of strong nanotubes which can conduct electricity. Therefore, buckminsterfullerene is use as semiconductor in electric circuit.
Moreover, buckminsterfullerene is a very strong and light allotrope which used in reinforcing structures such as the frame of a tennis racket. In addition, it is also used to place drug inside the nanotube cage for the transportation of drugs into human body. As a result, the drug can carry into human body safely instead of causing damage to other parts of body.

BODY 4 (Buckminsterfullerene) (Coal) (Charcoal)

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