Allotropes of Carbon – Charcoal

Allotropes are elements that have two or more forms. The allotropes of an element have more than two mores with identical chemical properties but different physical properties. Carbon has several allotropes because of the presence of valency. Carbon exists in two types of allotropic forms: crystalline and amorphous allotropic forms. Charcoal is an amorphous allotropic form of carbon. The charcoal uses include disinfectant, refining oil, and fats, decolourising sugar solutions, whitening agent, dehydrating agent, outdoor cooking, etc. The topic discusses charcoal along with its structure, uses, and properties.

Charcoal Structure and the Arrangement of Carbons

• Charcoal is one of the allotropes of carbon and is an organic compound. It is an amorphous allotropic form of carbon with the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms.

• It is produced through the incomplete combustion of animal and plant products and is mostly obtained by burning parts like cellulose, peat, bones, and wood.

• It is a lightweight carbon residue produced by heating wood with minimal oxygen, which removes all the volatile components and water.

• The charcoal structure consists of an aromatic structure with carbon rings with alternate double and single bonds. The structure has a combination of oxygen and carbon-free radicals. 

Types of Charcoal 

It is obtained through a process called destructive distillation. It is divided into three types based on the source of charcoal.

• Wood Charcoal is a component obtained from wood heating in the absence of air. It leaves behind a black mass which is the residual matter and exists in solid-state. It is porous and brittle, floats on water as it holds air in its pores, is a good adsorbent, and is a bad conductor of electricity.

• Animal Charcoal is obtained by heating bones in the absence of air and is hence also called bone charcoal. The most important component is calcium phosphate, with a 10 – 12% carbon content.

• Sugar Charcoal is produced by heating cane sugar or glucose in the absence of air. The dehydration of glucose or cane sugar is done in concentrated sulphuric acid.

• Activated charcoal is produced by heating the charcoal in the presence of steam or by treating it with chemicals, which removes the substances adhered to it and breaks down into finer particles. It has a large surface area and is used as a filtering agent. With the heating, its pore size is reduced.

Properties of Charcoal 

• It is solid, amorphous, odourless, tasteless, and porous.

• Charcoal has lower mechanical strength and is a low-density component.

• It has a large surface area due to the presence of pores across its surface. If not stored appropriately, the high porosity and high surface area can lead to contamination.

• It is a good absorbent with the capacity to absorb a high amount of moisture.

• It has a low ash compound and is highly combustible. It is highly reactive to carbon dioxide.

• Charcoal cannot be metabolised in the body and is not absorbed by the GI tract. However, it is used as a detoxifier that traps chemicals and toxins and prevents absorption of the toxins in the blood. 

Charcoal Uses and its Applications 

There are various charcoal uses used for various applications, and here are some of the applications for the same.

• It has high absorbent properties, and hence it is used to remove harmful toxins from the body. Activated charcoal helps with detoxification which adsorbs harmful chemicals and toxins. It is even used as a filtering agent and helps clean or filter water.

• It is used in medical emergency conditions and helps treat cases related to overdose and poisoning.

• It is used in cooking fuel and is largely used in various cooking styles like barbecuing, smoking meat, etc. By cooking with the help of charcoal by adding flavours.

• It helps whiten teeth as it has adsorbent properties, and hence it adsorbs the stains and toxins from teeth, providing natural whitening.

• It is used to decolourise sugar solutions and sugar syrup and refine the oils and fats.

• It is an important component of gunpowder. It is an important component of gas masks as it helps absorb harmful gases.

• It is used largely in manufacturing a range of cosmetics, and hence it helps in cleansing the skin.

Conclusion 

Carbon is one of the most important elements, and charcoal is one of the allotropes of carbon. Allotropes exist in more than one or two forms with similar chemical but different physical properties. It is an organic compound formed with the help of incomplete combustion in the presence of minimal oxygen. Charcoal uses are widespread across applications like cooking, medical purposes like a toxin or poison removal, cosmetics, filtering agents, etc. This article provides comprehensive information on charcoal, its properties, and its applications.