Question

Name the allotropic forms of carbon.

Answer 1

Allotropes of carbon:

• Diamond – an extremely hard, transparent crystal, with the carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral lattice. A poor electrical conductor. An excellent thermal conductor.
• Lonsdaleite – also called hexagonal diamond.
• Graphene – is the basic structural element of other allotropes, nanotubes, charcoal, and fullerenes.
• Q-carbon – a ferromagnetic, tough, and brilliant crystal structure that is harder and brighter than diamonds.
• Graphite – a soft, black, flaky solid, a moderate electrical conductor. The C atoms are bonded in flat hexagonal lattices (graphene), which are then layered in sheets.
• Linear acetylenic carbon (Carbyne)
• Amorphous carbon
• Fullerenes, including Buckminsterfullerene, a.k.a. “buckyballs”, such as C60.
• Carbon nanotubes – allotropes of carbon with a cylindrical nanostructure.