Applications of fullerenes

Depending on the features of molecular symmetry fullerenes and nanotubes could be dielectrics, semiconductors, possess metallic conductivity and high temperature superconductivity. These properties in combination with nanoscale geometry define a wide range of applications in electronics, chemistry, medicine, optics.

A fullerene is a promising material for various applications. In the scientific literature discusses the use of fullerenes for the creation of photodetectors and optoelectronic devices, catalysts, diamond and diamond-like films, superconducting materials, but also as dyes for copy machines.

Fullerenes can be used as the basis to produce batteries. These batteries, whose operation is based on the reactions of addition of hydrogen, in many respects like the widely-used Nickel batteries, however, can store roughly five times higher than the specific amount of hydrogen. In addition, these batteries are characterized by higher efficiency, low weight, and environmental and sanitary safety compared to the most advanced in respect to those qualities of rechargeable batteries based on lithium. Such batteries may find wide application for the supply of personal computers and hearing AIDS.

Solutions of fullerenes in non-polar solvents (carbon disulfide, toluene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, decane, hexane, pentane) are characterized by nonlinear optical properties, which manifests itself in a sharp decrease in transparency of the solution under certain conditions. This opens the possibility of using fullerenes as the basis for optical gates - limiters intensity of laser radiation. Fullerenes can find application as additives for rocket fuel, lubricant.

The use of fullerenes is limited by their high cost, which is the labor intensity of fullerene mixture and of the separation of the individual components.

Control questions

1. Describe in briefly what is fullerenes?

2. Mention the mains characteristic of fullerenes.

3. Explain the structure of C₆₀

4. Mention some physical properties of fullerenes.

5. Mention some chemical properties of fullerenes and explain one of them.