What Are Fullerenes and How is sp2 Hybridization Involved?
Fullerenes are a class of carbon allotropes in which carbon atoms are arranged in a spherical, tubular, or ellipsoidal shape. The most well-known fullerene is C60, also known as buckminsterfullerene or buckyball. In fullerenes, each carbon atom is sp2 hybridized and forms three σ-bonds with adjacent carbon atoms, creating a stable, closed-cage structure. The unique geometry and electronic properties of fullerenes make them useful in a variety of nanotechnology applications, including drug delivery and energy storage.
