Fullerenes vs Nanodiamonds

As the field of nanotechnology continues to make advancements, researchers are constantly searching for the perfect material to use in their innovations. Two materials that have gained popularity in recent years are fullerenes and nanodiamonds.

What are Fullerenes?

Fullerenes are a group of carbon molecules that are shaped like a soccer ball or a geodesic dome, made up of carbon atoms arranged in a hollow sphere. They were first discovered in 1985 by Harold Kroto, Robert Curl, and Richard Smalley, who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1996 for their discovery.

Fullerenes have a high surface area, high electron affinity, and unique optical and electronic properties, making them useful in a variety of applications, including:

• Drug delivery
• Solar cells
• Electronic devices

What are Nanodiamonds?

Nanodiamonds are essentially tiny diamonds, typically ranging in size from 4 to 6 nanometers in diameter. They can be produced through various methods, including detonation synthesis, chemical vapor deposition, and high-pressure high-temperature methods.

Nanodiamonds have high mechanical, thermal, and optical properties, making them useful in a variety of applications, including:

• Thermal management
• Drug delivery
• Biomedical imaging

Comparison

When it comes to a head-to-head comparison of fullerenes vs nanodiamonds, it can be difficult to say which material is better. Both have unique properties and distinct advantages depending on the application.

A few factors to consider when comparing the two materials include:

• Cost: Fullerenes are typically more expensive to produce than nanodiamonds.
• Toxicity: Fullerenes have been found to have some toxic effects in certain applications, while nanodiamonds have been found to be biocompatible.
• Durability: Nanodiamonds have high durability, while fullerenes can be more fragile.

Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to the specific use case and requirements for the application.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both fullerenes and nanodiamonds have unique properties and advantages in the field of nanotechnology. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each material and consider the specific application before making a decision.

And remember, no matter which one you choose, they'll both surely cause a sparkle in the field. Well, especially the nanodiamonds; they're full of carbonation! (Pun intended).

References:

1. Fathi-Achachelouei, M.; Martinez-Criado, G.; Schmitz, G.; Gholami, M. F.; Omrani, A. A.; & Pernik, I. (2019). Nanodiamonds in drug delivery systems. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 107(3), 505-518. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.36517
2. Dahm, H.; Malesevic, A.; & Wisniewski, S. (2019). Fullerenes. In Agathangelou, M. V. (Ed.), Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences, and Chemical Engineering. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409547-2.13971-6
3. Vaijayanthimala, V.; Cheng, P. Y.; & Yeh, S. H. (2014). Surface chemistry of nanodiamonds and their applications in drug delivery. Current Medicinal Chemistry, 21(19), 2190-2199. doi: 10.2174/0929867321666131223121310