ABSTRACT
Carbon in all its forms (diamond, graphite, and amorphous) is historically a technologically important material being used in everything from graphite electrodes for metal refi ning, activated carbon for water purifi cation, diamond-cutting tools, jewelry and IR windows, and graphite for lubrication, for example [1]. Because of its electrochemical inertness and good conductivity, graphitic carbon also fi nds use in many ubiquitous electrochemical applications, such as battery and fuel cell electrodes, and in the production of many chemicals [2-4]. In recent years, more advanced applications have arisen that utilize the wide range of carbon’s desirable properties, such as the carbon-carbon
composites in the space shuttle’s wing edges, and structural materials for next generation sport equipment, automobiles, and aircraft, for example [5]. With the recent discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and fullerenes, the promise of tailoring properties precisely by controlling the nanoscale structure of carbon has opened up new avenues for exploration.
