What are the Allotropes of Carbon?

The forms of carbon in nature are mainly gaseous and solid.

Carbon allotrope

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Carbon allotrope diamond and graphite

* Diamond is the hardest ore known to man; graphite is one of the softest ore.

* Diamond is the ultimate abrasive; graphite is a very good lubricant.

* Diamond is a first-class insulator; graphite is a good conductor.

* Diamonds are usually transparent; graphite is opaque.

* The crystal of diamond is hexagonal; graphite is cubic.

* Diamonds are expensive; graphite is mediocre.

Carbon allotrope amorphous carbon and carbon nanotubes

* Amorphous carbon is one of the easiest materials to synthesize; carbon nanotubes are materials that require extremely high costs.

* Amorphous carbon is a completely isotropic material; carbon nanotubes are anisotropic materials that extend back and forth in only one direction.

Carbon allotrope fullerene

(See entry for fullerene )

The C60 molecule is aromatic and soluble in benzene and has a creamy red color. It can be made by graphite heating by resistance heating graphite rod or arc method. C60 is lubricating and may become a super lubricant. Metal-doped C60 has superconductivity and is a promising superconducting material. C60 may also be used in many fields such as semiconductors, catalysts, battery materials and pharmaceuticals. The C60 molecule can be combined with metal or nonmetal anions. When the alkali metal atom and C60 are combined, the electrons are transferred from the metal atom to the C60 molecule to form MxC60 with superconducting properties, where M is K, Rb, Cs; x is the number of alkali metal atoms incorporated. K3C60 is a superconductor below 18K and a conductor above 18K. Doped with up to 6 atoms, K6C60 is an insulator. C60 is a simple substance that has both scientific value and application prospects. It also has certain research significance in the fields of life sciences, medicine, astrophysics and other fields. Fullerene members also include C78, C82, C84, C90, C96 and so on. The shape of the fullerene may be other shapes such as a tube.