Graphite is a giant covalent structure made of layers of carbon atoms bonded together, allowing the layers to slide past one another. It conducts electricity and is lubricating. Diamond is also a giant covalent carbon structure, but each carbon atom forms four bonds making it very hard but non-conductive. Buckminster fullerenes are hollow carbon cages about 1 nanometer in diameter, stronger than diamond. Carbon nanotubes are flexible carbon tubes about 1 nanometer wide that conduct electricity and are made from half a buckminster fullerene.

1. Graphite
Description:
Graphite is a giant covalent structure
containing carbon atoms, joined to adjacent
carbon atoms by covalent bonds.
Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds
with each carbon in layers.
The layers can slide past each other and
delocalised electrons allow conduction.
Properties:
•Strong
•High melting point
•Giant structure
•Conducts electricity
•Lubricant
Layers can slide past each other.

2. Diamond
Description:
Diamond is a giant covalent structure
containing carbon atoms, joined to adjacent
carbon atoms by covalent bonds.
Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds
with each carbon.
Making it hard but non-conductive.
Properties:
•Strong
•High melting point
•Giant structure
•Lattice Structure
•Non-conductive
Each carbon forms 4 covalent
bonds

3. Buckminster Fullerenes
Description:
Carbon-60 or the Buckminster
Fullerene is a closed carbon cage
that was isolated and synthesised
from common soot.
Properties:
•Strong (stronger than diamond)
•Stable (maintain shape)
•High melting point
•High boiling point
•1 nanometre in diameter (1nm)
‘Bucky Ball’

4. Carbon Nanotubes
Description:
Carbon Nanotubes or CNT’s
are flexible carbon tubes, synthesised
from half an atom of Buckminster
fullerene.
Properties:
•Flexible
•Strong
•Conduct electricity
•High melting point
•High boiling point
•1 nanometre in diameter (1nm)
CNT’s are essentially just half a
‘Bucky ball’.