Carbon Nanotube - GCSE Chemistry Definition

A carbon nanotube is a cylindrical structure made of carbon atoms arranged in a pattern similar to a rolled-up sheet of graphene. They are incredibly strong and lightweight, and have unique electrical properties that make them excellent conductors of electricity and heat.

Carbon nanotubes can be single-walled or multi-walled, depending on the number of graphene layers rolled into tubes. They are significant in various fields, including materials science and nanotechnology, due to their strength, flexibility, and conductivity.

In the context of GCSE Chemistry, carbon nanotubes exemplify how carbon atoms can bond together to form new structures with distinctive properties, showcasing the versatility of carbon in forming different allotropes, like the more commonly known diamond and graphite.