What mistakes do students make with Graphene and fullerenes?

Listing uses without linking them to properties. Put it right by naming the property, such as electrical conductivity or high tensile strength, before giving the use. Stating that all fullerenes conduct electricity. Put it right by specifying that carbon nanotubes are the fullerenes used as conductors in electronics. Confusing nanotechnology with electronics or materials as if they were the same field. Put it right by giving a distinct example for each area, such as drug delivery for nanotechnology and composite reinforcement for materials.

What are the exam tips for Graphene and fullerenes in Chemistry AQA GCSE?

Structure answers as property first, then use, for example 'carbon nanotubes conduct electricity, so they are used as nanoscale wires in circuits'. Give one clear example for each of nanotechnology, electronics and materials if the question asks for a range of uses. Specify 'carbon nanotubes' when discussing electrical conductivity or high tensile strength, rather than just 'fullerenes'.

AQA · GCSE · Chemistry

Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018

Their properties make them useful for nanotechnology, electronics and…

Full specification wording

Graphene and fullerenes: Their properties make them useful for nanotechnology, electronics and materials.

The distinctive structures of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes, give them properties that are exploited in three broad areas.

Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on 21 September 2026.

Point 6 of 7
2 key terms

Study notes

From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

The idea

What earns the marks

Fullerenes and nanotubes have nanoscale dimensions, making them suitable for nanotechnology applications such as drug delivery.
Carbon nanotubes have delocalised electrons and an extended structure, giving them electrical conductivity useful for nanoscale wires in electronics.
The high tensile strength and stiffness of carbon nanotubes, combined with low mass, make them useful in composite materials.
The large surface area to volume ratio of fullerenes makes them effective catalysts or catalyst supports.
Uses must be justified by linking a specific property to the application, for example high tensile strength to reinforcing materials.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

Listing uses without linking them to properties.
Put it right by naming the property, such as electrical conductivity or high tensile strength, before giving the use.
Stating that all fullerenes conduct electricity.
Put it right by specifying that carbon nanotubes are the fullerenes used as conductors in electronics.
Confusing nanotechnology with electronics or materials as if they were the same field.
Put it right by giving a distinct example for each area, such as drug delivery for nanotechnology and composite reinforcement for materials.

Exam tips

Structure answers as property first, then use, for example 'carbon nanotubes conduct electricity, so they are used as nanoscale wires in circuits'.
Give one clear example for each of nanotechnology, electronics and materials if the question asks for a range of uses.
Specify 'carbon nanotubes' when discussing electrical conductivity or high tensile strength, rather than just 'fullerenes'.

Try the lesson

The start of the Graphene and fullerenes: Their properties make them useful for nanotechnology, electronics and materials. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

Have a go first

Fullerenes are used in nanotechnology, electronics and materials. Which property helps to explain their use in electronics?

Tip: press 1 to 4 to choose

Listen

The distinctive structures of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes, give them properties that are exploited in three broad areas. In nanotechnology, the nanometre-scale dimensions of spherical fullerenes allow them to be used as delivery vessels for drugs, as catalysts and as lubricants. In electronics, carbon nanotubes are excellent conductors of electricity because of their delocalised electrons and extended structure, allowing them to act as tiny wires or components in circuits. In materials, the great tensile strength and low mass of carbon nanotubes make them valuable in lightweight composites for sports equipment, vehicles and construction. The key exam skill is to link a named property, such as high tensile strength or electrical conductivity, to a specific use rather than listing uses without justification. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Fullerenes and nanotubes have nanoscale dimensions, making them suitable for nanotechnology applications such as drug delivery. Carbon nanotubes have delocalised electrons and an extended structure, giving them electrical conductivity useful for nanoscale wires in electronics. The high tensile strength and stiffness of carbon nanotubes, combined with low mass, make them useful in composite materials. The large surface area to volume ratio of fullerenes makes them effective catalysts or catalyst supports. A common slip: Listing uses without linking them to properties. Instead, naming the property, such as electrical conductivity or high tensile strength, before giving the use. Exam tip: Structure answers as property first, then use, for example 'carbon nanotubes conduct electricity, so they are used as nanoscale wires in circuits'.

See it

A flowchart starting from one node, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, which branches to four property nodes: nanoscale dimensions; delocalised electrons and extended structure; high tensile strength and low mass; and large surface area to volume ratio. Nanoscale dimensions leads to nanotechnology drug delivery. Large surface area to volume ratio leads to nanotechnology catalysts and lubricants. Delocalised electrons and extended structure leads to electronics nanoscale wires in circuits. High tensile strength and low mass leads to materials lightweight composites. — It links each property of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes to the area where it is used.

Key words

Say what each word means before you turn the card.

Electrical conductivity in carbon nanotubes

Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

Structure-property-application links

Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

See every definition

Electrical conductivity in carbon nanotubes: The ability of carbon nanotubes to conduct electricity because of their delocalised electrons and extended structure, allowing them to act as tiny wires or components in circuits.
Structure-property-application links: Linking a named property, such as high tensile strength or electrical conductivity, to a specific use rather than listing uses without justification.

Label the diagram

Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart starting from one node, fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, which branches to four property nodes: nanoscale dimensions; delocalised electrons and extended structure; high tensile strength and low mass; and large surface area to volume ratio. Nanoscale dimensions leads to nanotechnology drug delivery. Large surface area to volume ratio leads to nanotechnology catalysts and lubricants. Delocalised electrons and extended structure leads to electronics nanoscale wires in circuits. High tensile strength and low mass leads to materials lightweight composites.

1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3

0 of 3 labelled

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