AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    Give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes.

    Full specification wording

    Graphene and fullerenes: give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes.

    Fullerenes are carbon molecules with closed cage or tube structures, and their properties lead to specific uses.

    Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 6 of 6
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Fullerenes are carbon molecules with closed cage or tube structures, and their properties lead to specific uses. Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀, is a hollow sphere that can trap atoms or small molecules inside its cage, so it is investigated for drug delivery, as a lubricant and as a catalyst. Carbon nanotubes are cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings, often just nanometres wide. They have a very high strength-to-weight ratio, conduct electricity and heat well, and have a large surface area, so they are used to reinforce composite materials such as sports equipment and aircraft parts, in nanoscale electronics and sensors, and in hydrogen storage. When answering, name the fullerene, state a property and link it to the use, for example nanotubes are strong and light, so they reinforce tennis rackets and bicycle frames.

    What earns the marks

    • Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀, has a hollow cage structure that can trap other atoms or molecules, so it is used in drug delivery systems and as a catalyst.
    • Carbon nanotubes are very strong and have a low mass, so they are used to reinforce composite materials such as sports equipment and aircraft components.
    • Carbon nanotubes conduct electricity and heat, so they are used in nanoscale electronic circuits, sensors and conductive composites.
    • Carbon nanotubes have a very large surface area relative to their volume, so they are used in hydrogen storage and in catalysis.
    • Fullerenes can act as lubricants because their spherical molecules can roll over one another, reducing friction between surfaces.
    • A full answer names a specific fullerene or nanotube use and links it to a property such as cage shape, strength, conductivity or surface area.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Giving a use without linking it to a property.

      Put it right by adding because plus the relevant property, such as nanotubes are strong and light, so they are used in bicycle frames.

    • Confusing fullerenes with diamond or graphite uses such as cutting tools or pencils.

      Put it right by naming buckminsterfullerene or carbon nanotubes specifically.

    • Claiming that fullerenes are used as fuels or that they melt at low temperatures.

      Put it right by describing uses based on cage shape, strength, conductivity or surface area.

    Exam tips

    • Learn at least three uses with their linked properties: drug delivery with the hollow cage, composites with high strength and low mass, and electronics with electrical conductivity.
    • Use the phrase carbon nanotubes rather than just nanotubes when the question asks about fullerenes, so the examiner can credit the example.
    • If the question says give examples, write two or three distinct uses, each with a brief property link, rather than one long description.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Graphene and fullerenes: give examples of the uses of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which of these is a common use of fullerenes, including carbon nanotubes?

    Listen

    Fullerenes are carbon molecules with closed cage or tube structures, and their properties lead to specific uses. Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀, is a hollow sphere that can trap atoms or small molecules inside its cage, so it is investigated for drug delivery, as a lubricant and as a catalyst. Carbon nanotubes are cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings, often just nanometres wide. They have a very high strength-to-weight ratio, conduct electricity and heat well, and have a large surface area, so they are used to reinforce composite materials such as sports equipment and aircraft parts, in nanoscale electronics and sensors, and in hydrogen storage. When answering, name the fullerene, state a property and link it to the use, for example nanotubes are strong and light, so they reinforce tennis rackets and bicycle frames. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀, has a hollow cage structure that can trap other atoms or molecules, so it is used in drug delivery systems and as a catalyst. Carbon nanotubes are very strong and have a low mass, so they are used to reinforce composite materials such as sports equipment and aircraft components. Carbon nanotubes conduct electricity and heat, so they are used in nanoscale electronic circuits, sensors and conductive composites. Carbon nanotubes have a very large surface area relative to their volume, so they are used in hydrogen storage and in catalysis. A common slip: Giving a use without linking it to a property. Instead, adding because plus the relevant property, such as nanotubes are strong and light, so they are used in bicycle frames. Exam tip: Learn at least three uses with their linked properties: drug delivery with the hollow cage, composites with high strength and low mass, and electronics with electrical conductivity.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart with two starting points. From Buckminsterfullerene C60, one branch leads to the property that its hollow cage traps atoms or molecules, which leads to two uses: drug delivery and catalyst. A second branch from C60 leads to the property that its spherical molecules roll over one another, which leads to the use lubricant. From Carbon nanotubes, three branches lead to properties and uses: very strong with low mass leads to reinforce composite materials; conduct electricity and heat leads to nanoscale electronics and sensors; and very large surface area leads to hydrogen storage.
    It links each named fullerene, buckminsterfullerene and carbon nanotubes, to its property and the uses that property enables.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Buckminsterfullerene

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

    Carbon nanotubes

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

    Fullerenes

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

    See every definition
    Buckminsterfullerene
    A hollow sphere of carbon that can trap atoms or small molecules inside its cage, so it is investigated for drug delivery, as a lubricant and as a catalyst.
    Carbon nanotubes
    Cylinders of hexagonal carbon rings, often just nanometres wide, that are very strong with a low mass and conduct electricity and heat well.
    Fullerenes
    Carbon molecules with closed cage or tube structures whose properties lead to specific uses.

    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 top-down flowchart with two starting points. From Buckminsterfullerene C60, one branch leads to the property that its hollow cage traps atoms or molecules, which leads to two uses: drug delivery and catalyst. A second branch from C60 leads to the property that its spherical molecules roll over one another, which leads to the use lubricant. From Carbon nanotubes, three branches lead to properties and uses: very strong with low mass leads to reinforce composite materials; conduct electricity and heat leads to nanoscale electronics and sensors; and very large surface area leads to hydrogen storage.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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