Molecular Carbons: How Far Can We Go?

Area of Science:

• Material Science
• Nanotechnology
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Carbon nanomaterials have significantly advanced material science.
• Bottom-up synthesis enables the creation of atomically precise molecular carbons.
• Molecular carbons possess unique properties due to their well-defined structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in molecular carbons.
• To elaborate on the relationship between molecular carbons and traditional carbon nanomaterials.
• To provide multiple viewpoints for further field advancement.

Main Methods:

• Review of synthesis strategies for molecular carbons.
• Analysis of molecular carbons derived from fullerene, graphene, carbon nanotube, carbyne, graphyne, and Schwarzite.
• Selection of representative examples to illustrate structure-property relationships.

Main Results:

• Detailed discussion of molecular carbons synthesized from various precursors.
• Exploration of diverse sizes and topologies achievable with bottom-up synthesis.
• Highlighting of unique properties and potential applications of single-component molecular carbons.

Conclusions:

• Bottom-up synthesis is key to accessing atomically precise molecular carbons.
• Molecular carbons offer distinct advantages over mixed carbon nanomaterial systems.
• This perspective aims to stimulate further research and development in molecular carbon science.