Nanotechnology Applications for Clean Water, 2nd Edition

Chapter 21

Possible Applications of Fullerene Nanomaterials in Water Treatment and Reuse

So-Ryong Chae, Ernest M. Hotze and Mark R. Wiesner,    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

Fullerenes are a class of molecules composed entirely of carbon. The first of these molecules, Buckminsterfullerene, was discovered in 1985 and contains 60 carbons in the form of a hollow spherical cage consisting of 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal faces. Other spherical fullerenes or “buckyballs” have since been synthesized as well as nonspherical fullerenes that include cylinders (carbon nanotubes-CNTs), lobed structures, and bowls to name a few. Further variations on fullerenes include the addition ...