Carbyne is being tipped to replace graphene as the strongest substance that has been invented. The University of Vienna has a team who has successfully produced a stable form of carbyne, and it is 40 times tougher than diamond and has double the tensile properties of graphene.
It was back in 1885 that the idea of carbyne started, but until now it has only been possible to produce it either as a computer copy or in very short pieces because it is unstable. There is a new method of production being used and it is successful. Graphene is being used to protect the carbyne and at present there has been a piece that was 6,400 atoms long, and this piece stayed stable.
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The journal Nature Materials revealed the latest results and went on to explain that this method would make it possible to produce in bulk. It is being seen as an incredible breakthrough and according to Lei Shi who was part of the team involved, it is the pinnacle of 1D carbon allotropes.
The results mean that bulk production is a reality, and this forerunner has been a significant breakthrough. At the moment, it is not even possible to see carbyne just by using the eyes, but as time goes on it will make a significant difference in construction and mechanics. It is also a great conductor of electricity and will be found in various nanoelectronics devices and household gadgets in the future.
