Previous Year Question
Arrange the following substances in chronological order of their first synthesis in lab:
Black gold
Fullerene
Graphene
Kevlar
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
1, 2, 3, 4
4, 2, 3, 1
2, 4, 3, 1
4, 1, 2, 3
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Kevlar — 1965: DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek developed an unusual polymer solution in 1965 that led to the creation of the extremely strong and lightweight synthetic fibre Kevlar. Kevlar is an aramid fibre and is used in bullet-resistant body armour, aerospace components and other high-strength applications.
Fullerene — 1985: The research team of Robert Curl, Harold Kroto and Richard Smalley discovered new molecular forms of carbon in 1985, the best known being C₆₀ — Buckminsterfullerene. It has a closed cage structure resembling a football. The three scientists received the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery.
Graphene — 2004: Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov successfully isolated/produced graphene in 2004. Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Both scientists received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for this work.
Black Gold — 2019: Researchers at TIFR prepared nanostructured gold by controlling the size of gold nanoparticles and the gaps between them, enabling it to absorb a broad range of visible and near-infrared light and appear black. Research on this Black (nano)Gold was published in 2019. It was explored for applications such as solar-energy harvesting, CO₂ conversion and seawater purification.