Fullerenes comprise an infinite class of pure carbon cages. The variety of fullerene structures, their strength and stability, and their ability to undergo chemical derivatization make them ideal building blocks for a nanoscale architecture. Prospects for assembling such fullerene "tinker toys" are discussed with emphasis on their form and growth. Formation of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which are likely to be the ultimate nanoscale building beams, are discussed in detail.
展开▼