Practical uses of Buckyballs

Practical uses of Buckyballs

C60 Fullerenes are usually referred to as Bucky Balls. These fullerenes made up entirely of carbon atoms can be referred to as allotropes of carbon. They have many potential applications today.

Buckyballs are yet to enter widespread commercial use, but they are used as a mixture in several products to increase their strength and durability. Fullerenes are costly to manufacture. If your company wishes to buy C60 Fullerenes, you have to weigh the prices carefully.

Main Applications of Buckyballs

There are several potential uses of Buckyballs. Some of these are-

Medical use

Buckyballs can be effectively used for various medical uses. They have antioxidant properties that can be used to fight motor deterioration. In addition, it can also be used to control inflammations. It may also be used to inhibit HIV growth. However, these applications are all in an experimental phase and haven’t been used yet.

Commercial use


Buckyballs can be used in addition to other products for making cheaper solar cells. It may also be used as a container for storing hydrogen for cell powered cars. Bulletproof vests may also be made using a possible variation of buckyballs. Using buckyballs in pipes may reduce bacterial growth in them.

Already in use

Buckyballs are being produced by several companies today. You can Buy C60 Fullerenes products at ApNano, IoliTec, and BuckyUSA. These companies have manufactured a variety of products using buckyballs. Some of these are lubricants, moisturizing creams, and carbon nanotubes.

Risks of Fullerenes

Fullerenes do pose certain sort of risks though. As they do not decompose, they tend to remain in the environment and can be a cause of environmental pollution. On the other hand, deposits of fullerenes in the human body can be potentially toxic. Buckyballs form clusters and can be inhaled into the body causing damage to the lungs. They have also been determined to cause brain damage in fish. The potential toxicity of fullerenes is yet to be determined. You can read more about fullerenes on

Fullerenes have the potential to revolutionize medicine. If scientists can successfully use buckyballs in solar cells, electricity may be revolutionized as well. We have come a long way in manufacturing buckyballs since they were invented in the 1980’s. However, there is still much to be done in order to make the appropriate use of this wonderful nanotechnology while eliminating its hazards.