New Nanotech from an Ancient Material: Chemistry Demonstrations Involving Carbon-Based Soot

Abstract

Carbon soot has been known since antiquity, but has recently been finding new uses as a robust, inexpensive nanomaterial. This paper describes the superhydrophobic properties of carbon soot films prepared by combustion of candle wax or propane gas and introduces some of the optical absorption and fluorescence properties of carbon soot particles. Multiple demonstrations, appropriate for a variety of educational backgrounds, are presented.