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In
nanotechnology, carbon
nanobuds form a material (discovered and synthesized in 2006) which combines
two previously discovered allotropes of carbon:
carbon nanotubes
and fullerenes.
In this new material fullerenes
are covalently bonded to the outer sidewalls of the underlying nanotube. Consequently, Nanobuds exhibit properties
of both carbon
nanotubes
and fullerenes.
For instance, the mechanical
properties and the electrical conductivity of the nanobuds are similar to
those of corresponding carbon
nanotubes.
However, because of the higher reactivity of the attached fullerene molecules,
the hybrid material can be further functionalized through known fullerene chemistry.
Additionally, the attached fullerene
molecules can be used as molecular
anchors
to prevent slipping of the nanotubes
in various composite
materials, thus modifying the composite's
mechanical
properties.
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