Carbon nano-onions: Synthesis, characterization, and application

Abstract

Abstract Among carbon nanomaterials, multilayer fullerene is one of the newest fullerene family members, which is also called carbon nano-onions (CNOs). CNOs consist of nearly spherical and multilateral graphic layers close to each other. These layers form many cavities and defects that can be created by different pentagonal and hexagonal carbon rings to form crystalline quasispherical or amorphous layers. The high thermal stability and high electrical conductivity of CNOs take researchers’ attention to the development of sensors for the detection of biologically and nonbiological relevant molecules based on CNOs as the main component to construct. In this chapter, the various synthesis methods and characterization of CNOs will be presented. The structural features and the strategies for the improvement of their physical properties will be described. Then, chemical modification and functionalization of CNOs will be reviewed. Finally, the detailed potential application of CNOs in the various fields will be reviewed.