Classes of Carbon Nanomaterials

Carbon nanomaterials are a class of materials composed primarily of carbon atoms. They are used in a variety of applications, from medical treatments to electronics and energy production. Carbon nanomaterials can be divided into four broad classes: fullerenes, nanotubes, nanorods, and graphene. Each of these materials has unique properties that make them useful for specific applications. Fullerenes are hollow, near-spherical molecules composed of carbon atoms in a variety of shapes. They can be either pure carbon or a combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Fullerenes are often used as a drug delivery system, due to their ability to carry molecules into the body and target specific cells. Nanotubes are cylindrical tubes composed of carbon atoms in a hexagonal structure. They can be either single-walled or multi-walled and have a variety of applications, including electronics, energy production, and drug delivery. The unique properties of nanotubes make them ideal for applications that require small, strong, and conductive materials. Nanorods are rod-shaped molecules composed of carbon atoms. They are typically much longer than nanotubes and can be either single-walled or multi-walled. Nanorods are used in a variety of applications, including optics, electronics, and energy production. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the thinnest material known and the strongest material ever tested.