Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes in Space

TL;DR

This paper reviews the significance of carbon, especially graphene and carbon nanotubes, in space, highlighting their formation, properties, and roles in the interstellar medium.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of carbon allotropes, focusing on graphene and nanotubes, and their relevance in astrophysical contexts.

Findings

Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in space.

Graphene and nanotubes have unique bonding properties.

Carbon allotropes influence the physical and chemical evolution of the interstellar medium.

Abstract

As the fourth most abundant element in the universe, carbon plays an important role in the physical and chemical evolution of the interstellar medium. Due to its unique property to form three different types of chemical bonds through sp^1, sp^2, and sp^3 hybridizations, carbon can be stabilized in various allotropes, including amorphous carbon, graphite, diamond, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, fullerenes, graphene, and carbon nanotubes.