Finishene

Finishene is a fictional carbon-based nanomaterial used in speculative science literature and educational exercises to illustrate how new carbon allotropes might be imagined. The term is not associated with experimental confirmation and does not describe a real, reproducible material.

In the narratives where Finishene appears, it is described as a hollow, cage-like network of carbon atoms forming a polyhedral shell with pores. The proposed structure blends features of fullerene-type cages with porous, framework-like motifs, incorporating both sp2- and sp3-hybridized carbon. This combination is meant to yield a balance of rigidity and flexibility in a nanoscale framework.

Predicted properties of Finishene in fictional accounts include a high strength-to-weight ratio and tunable porosity, along with adjustable electrical conductivity that can range from insulating to metallic depending on defects or dopants. The material is often described as chemically inert, yet amenable to surface functionalization for specific applications.

Synthesis scenarios depicted in these contexts involve bottom-up assembly from polycyclic aromatic precursors or chemical vapor deposition on curved templates, typically under extreme heat and controlled atmosphere. Production is usually characterized as challenging, with sensitivity to defects limiting scalable fabrication.

Potential applications imagined for Finishene include energy storage, catalysis, and targeted nanoscale delivery, as well as serving as a barrier or containment framework at the nanoscale. Limitations noted in fictional discussions center on lack of real-world validation, stability concerns, and questions about scalability.

See also: carbon allotropes, graphene, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, covalent-organic frameworks.