Precise Atomic Structures of Three Novel Nanomaterials in Nanotechnology, Biomedicine and Cosmology: Graphene, Boron Nitride and Coronene

摘要

Nanomaterials are currently of great importance in science, technology and commercial applications. Since these materials are atomic layer thick and are a few square nanometers of area, a knowledge of their precise atomic structures will help in the exact understanding of the properties at the nanoscale and in the fabrication and design of the nanomaterials for their many uses. Their known inter-atomic distances have been used here to obtain the exact atomic radii of the component atoms and thereby their precise atomic structures, for the first time. Considered here are three nanomaterials with hexagonal structures, but of quite different properties, namely, graphene (an electrical conductor), boron nitride (an insulator) and coronene (indicators of life in the Universe).