Conclusion

Research into solid C₆₀ and materials that it is found in, is still in its infancy however these materials have already shown exceptional properties that could make them practically applicable. It is foreseen that small applications will be found for fullerenes before the full extent of their properties are used.

C₆₀ can be used in the fabrication of industrial diamonds. When pressures of 20 GPa are applied rapidly at 273 K to C₆₀ the material is rapidly transformed into polycrystalline diamonds with great efficiency. Researchers thing that the presence of pentagons in the structure of the buckyball could make the formation of sp³ bonds during the application of anisotropic stress.  C₆₀ has a capacity for the storing of hydrogen, it is a catalyser and is used in batteries as well as electrodes.

Figure 10. C₆₀(Fe(h⁵-C₅H₅))₂ which is useful for electrochemistry

Furthermore, fullerenes are very important in pharmaceutical applications. Wudl synthesised a derivative of a fullerene which is soluble in water. It seems to inhibit the activity of HIV and could be used in a medicine for the treatment of AIDS. Nanotechnology is thus a domain of central importance, at the forefront of chemistry, physics, engineering and materials science. Nanotechnology find ways of manipulating atoms and molecules in an effort to construct new materials and different molecular stratagems.

In conclusion, carbon is truly important for chemistry and for life. It is essential that we continue to study the chemistry of carbon to increase understanding of ourselves and our environment and to improve the quality of life.

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Samantha Shanley, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol