Scientists have long tried to create new allotropes (forms) of carbon because of their versatility and usefulness for the industry. But only limited success was achieved so far. That is set to change now. In a major breakthrough, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, US, have successfully synthesised the long-hypothesised “next-generation wonder material” graphyne. An allotrope of carbon, graphyne is similar to graphene, which is highly valued by industry. In fact, the research on graphene was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010. However, scientists were able to create only a few fragments before now, despite decades of work and theorising. [1]

Figure 1. Scientists successfully created next-generation wonder material

Figure 1 shows scientists, for years, have aimed to create new or novel carbon allotropes, or forms of carbon, after considering the usefulness of carbon in several industries. These allotropes can be constructed in different ways. It depends on how utilized carbon hybrids, denoted as sp2, sp3, and sp, hybridized carbon, and their corresponding bonds.

The most well-known carbon allotropes are graphite (used in tools like pencils and batteries) and diamonds, created out of sp2 carbon and sp3 carbon, respectively. Over the years, scientists have successfully produced several allotropes using standard chemistry methods, including fullerene and graphene. [2]

Using a process called alkyne metathesis -- which is an organic reaction that entails the redistribution, or cutting and reforming, of alkyne chemical bonds (a type of hydrocarbon with at least one carbon-carbon triple covalent bond) -- as well as thermodynamics and kinetic control, the group was able to successfully create what had never been created before: A material that could rival the conductivity of graphene but with control. [3]

Researchers hope to explore this novel material from multiple dimensions and see how they could create it on a massive scale. They are still figuring out how graphyne's electron-conducting and optical properties can be used for the industry, such as in batteries and optics. For now, they hope it could lower the costs of materials and simplify the procedure so people could benefit from their research. [4]

References:

1. https://gadgets360.com/science/news/scientists-synthesise-graphyne-allotrope-of-carbon-next-generation-wonder-material-first-time-2996083
2. https://www.techexplorist.com/scientists-successfully-created-next-generation-wonder-material-1st-time/47511/
3. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220521093329.htm
4. https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/37819/20220523/scientists-successfully-create-next-generation-wonder-material-called-graphyne-better.htm

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Scientists successfully created next-generation wonder material, Anatechmaz, pp.148