CARBON: graphene

Graphene consists of carbon atoms arrayed in a hexagonal pattern in a large sheet. Layers of graphene constitute graphite, the familiar "lead" in pencils. Nanotubes are, in a sense, tubular graphene.

Electrons can very easily travel along the carbon sheet making graphene an extremely good electrical conductor. This conductivity suggests that graphene could have a future in the semiconductor industry, with the fabrication of high speed transistors.

The carbon atoms are shown as spheres drawn at their covalent radius (i.e. just touching).

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