 |
| A
new allotrope of carbon that consists
of 60 carbon atoms, shown above,
in the shape of a soccer ball. |
Several lines of research—in
spectroscopy, astronomy, and metallic
clusters—converged in 1985 to
lead to the discovery of an unusual
molecule. This cluster of 60 carbon
atoms was especially stable because
of its hollow, icosahedral structure
in which the bonds between the atoms
resembled the patterns on a soccer
ball. The molecule was named Buckminsterfullerene
after the geodesic domes designed
by architect Buckminster Fuller. The
identification of this form of carbon
(also called buckyballs) sparked broad
interest in the chemistry of an entire
class of hollow carbon structures,
referred to collectively as fullerenes.
Formed when vaporized carbon condenses
in an atmosphere of inert gas, fullerenes
include a wide range of shapes and
sizes, including nanotubes of interest
in electronics and hydrogen storage.
The initial discovery was recognized
by the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
awarded to Richard E. Smalley and
Robert F. Curl, both supported by
the Office of Science, and Curl's
colleague Sir Harold W. Kroto of Great
Britain. More recently, scientists
at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
reported a new synthetic method for
producing, extracting, and purifying
a cluster of 36 carbon atoms in quantities
useful for research purposes; they
also confirmed the high reactivity
and other unusual electrical and chemical
properties of this material.
Scientific Impact:
The discovery of fullerenes launched
a new branch of chemistry, and related
studies have contributed to growing
interest in nanostructures in general
and the principles of self-assembly.
Fullerenes also have influenced the
conception of diverse scientific problems
such as the galactic carbon cycle
and classical aromaticity, a keystone
of theoretical chemistry.
Social Impact:
Fullerenes are highly versatile (there
are literally thousands of variations)
and thus have many potential applications.
For example, fullerene structures
can be manipulated to produce superconducting
salts, new three-dimensional polymers,
new catalysts, and biologically active
compounds.
Reference:
"C60: Buckminsterfullerene," H.W.
Kroto, J.R. Heath, S.C. O'Brien, R.F.
Curl, and R.E. Smalley, Nature
318, 162, November 14, 1985"
URL: http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/carbon-36-superconductor.html
http://enews.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/backyball-transistor.html
Technical Contact:
Don Freeburn, Office of Science, 301.903.3156
Press Contact:
Jeff Sherwood, Office of Public Affairs,
202.586.5806
SC-Funding Office:
Basic Energy Sciences |
