fullereene

A fullerene is a molecule composed entirely of carbon, in which carbon atoms are arranged in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid or tube. The structure is made up of 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal faces, with 60 carbon atoms present in the molecule. This leads to a fundamental structural difference from a graphite lattice, where carbon atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern of linked hexagonal rings.

Fullerenes owe their name to Richard E. Smalley, Robert Curl, and Harold Kroto, who first discovered the fullerenes in 1985. The discovery of fullerenes was considered a significant breakthrough, as it opened up possibilities for the synthesis and study of carbon-based materials with unique properties.

Fullerenes are envisioned as having potential applications in the fields of materials science, chemistry, and materials engineering. Researchers study fullerenes to better understand their unique properties, which include high optical absorption in the visible and UV range, high electron mobility, and high thermal conductivity. The potential applications of fullerenes include electronics, optics, and composite materials development.

Structurally, fullerenes have small, hollow central voids or cavities, which give them considerable internal volume in comparison to their physical size. This unique characteristic of fullerenes allows them to trap atoms, ions, or even molecules inside their cage-like structure. Hydrogen can be trapped inside the cavity of a fullerene, creating a compound known as a fullerene hydride, with the potential for use as a high-capacity hydrogen storage medium.

The discovery and study of fullerenes have inspired various lines of research, influencing advancements in closely related areas of research, including nanotechnology, carbon materials science, and molecular science.