Fullerene and its applications: A review

Abstract

Fullerene molecules are composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Fullerenes in the cylindrical form are called carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or buckytubes and fullerenes in the spherical form are referred to as buckyballs. The CNT represents one of the unique inventions in nanotechnology. CNTs have been studied closely over the last two decades by many researchers around the world for their great potential in different fields. Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention in different fields of science since their discovery in 1985. Their unique carbon cage structure coupled with immense scope for derivatization makes them a potential therapeutic agent. The fullerenes can be utilized in organic photovoltaic (OPV), portable power, medical purpose, antioxidants, and biopharmaceuticals and dentistry.