Introduction to Carbon Materials

Our own existence witnesses the peculiar role played by carbon among all atoms of the periodic table. The energy levels of the various bonding hybridizations of the carbon atom are so close that different configurations can exist in normal earth environments, bringing about life. The various hybridizations have an impact on the structure and properties of inorganic carbon based materials too. In this chapter we will review this last subject looking at the various carbon structures that arise from the different local bonding configurations.