Carbon Allotropes

What is the structure of diamond?

Three-dimensional tetrahedral structure where each carbon atom forms a single covalent bond with four other carbon atoms, Considered a giant covalent structure as it does not contain a fixed number of carbon atoms

What is diamond used in?

Drill bits for oil exploration - the tetrahedral structure of diamond makes it very hard so it can cut through rock and concrete

What is the structure of buckminsterfullerene?

A football-like sphere made up of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons where each carbon atom forms a single covalent bond with 3 other carbon atoms. Large molecule but is not considered a giant covalent structure as it has a fixed number of 60 carbon atoms

What is buckminsterfullerene used in?

Drug delivery - cage like structure can carry drug molecules around the body and deliver them to where they are needed

What is the structure of graphite?

Flat sheets of hexagons forming multiple layers where each carbon atom forms a single covalent bond with three other carbon atoms. Considered a giant covalent structure as it does not contain a fixed number of carbon atoms

What is graphite used in?

Pencil leads - layers of graphite can easily slide over each other and flake off to leave a mark on paper

What is the structure of graphene?

A single flat sheet of hexagons surrounded by delocalised electrons where each carbon atom forms a single covalent bond with three other carbon atoms. Considered a giant covalent structure as it does not contain a fixed number of carbon atoms

What is graphene used in?

Solar cells - as it is only a single atom thick, it is both translucent and flexible and delocalised electrons are able to conduct electricity