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Researchers at Rice University have determined that carbyne, a carbon allotrope, may be the strongest material ever, with twice the strength of graphene and carbon nanotubes and three times that of diamonds.
Naturally formed linear acetylenic carbon, or carbyne, was observed years ago in shock-compressed graphite, interstellar dust and meteorites, but recent research has revealed that carbyne can be synthesized and stabilized at room temperature.
Carbyne's unique properties include:
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Stretching it by as little as 10% significantly alters its band gap.
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A 90-degree end-to-end rotation transforms it into a magnetic semi-conductor.
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Outfitting the ends with molecular handles and twisting it alters its band gap.
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Chains of carbyne can take on side molecules making energy storage possible.
Boris Yakobson, a physicist at Rice University and the head of the carbyne project, says that, according to their calculations, carbyne may be the highest energy state for stable carbon.
The researchers speculate that the unusual mechanical and electronic properties of carbyne may have great potential for applications in nanomechanics, nanoelectronic/spintronic devices and MEMS.
Like graphene, carbyne is just one atom thick, which gives it an extremely large surface area in relation to mass. This property is important in energy storage matrices like batteries and supercapacitors, where the surface area of the electrode determines energy density.
Decorating a carbyne chain with calcium atoms, which suck up hydrogen molecules, creates a high-density, reversible hydrogen storage device.
Currently, only a small amount of carbyne has been synthesized, so processes will need to be streamlined before the substance can be fully studied.
However, given initial findings, and the buzz graphene and carbon nanotube research generated, the researchers expect carbyne will be aggressively researched going forward.
Further Reading: ACS Nano, IEEE Spectrum, AZoNano
Image Credit: Photos.com