Fullerenes: Carbon atoms arranged into hollow spherical cages or tubes. The most famous is buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀) — 60 carbon atoms arranged like a football, with alternating pentagons and hexagons. Key properties and uses:
- Hollow interior — can encapsulate drug molecules for targeted delivery
- High surface area — potential lubricants and catalysts
- Electrical conductors — potential use in electronics
- Carbon nanotubes (cylindrical fullerenes) — very strong, potential use in reinforced materials
Graphene: A single layer of graphite — one atom thick, hexagonal arrangement of carbon atoms. Properties:
- Exceptionally strong (stronger than steel per unit weight)
- Excellent electrical conductor — free electrons within the layer
- Almost transparent
- Potential uses: flexible electronics, ultra-strong composite materials, filtration membranes
This higher tier covers Higher Tier: Fullerenes and Graphene within Nanoparticles (HT) for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Nanoparticles (HT) in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 9 of 12 in this topic. This section is most useful once the core foundation idea is secure, because it adds the detail that pushes answers higher.
Practice questions for Nanoparticles (HT)
What is the size range of nanoparticles?
Describe the structure of graphene and state one property that arises from this structure.