Question

Give a brief account of the allotropes of carbon with specific reference to their uses.

Answer 1

Carbon exists in different allotropic forms viz, graphite, diamond, fullerene, carbon nanotubes and graphene.

1. Graphite is soft and is a good conductor of electricity.
2. Diamond is hard and is used for sharpening hard tools, cutting glasses, making bones, and rock drilling.
3. Carbon nanotubes find many applications in nanoscale electrontes, catelysis, polymers and medicine.