what is fullerene

Fullerenes are an allotrope of carbon, consisting of pure carbon atoms connected by single and double bonds to form a closed or partially closed mesh with fused rings of five to seven atoms. They can take the form of hollow spheres, known as "buckyballs," or cylindrical structures, called "carbon nanotubes". The first fullerene, C60, was discovered in 1985 and has since been the subject of intense research for its chemistry and technological applications in materials science, electronics, and nanotechnology. Fullerenes have unique properties and are used in various fields, including medical applications such as light-activated antimicrobial agents and drug delivery platforms. They have also shown potential in battery technology and advanced electronic devices due to their ability to readily accept and donate electrons. Additionally, fullerenes can form inclusion compounds known as endohedral fullerenes, where additional atoms, ions, clusters, or small molecules can be trapped inside the fullerene structure. Overall, fullerenes have garnered significant interest for their diverse applications and unique chemical and physical properties.