Carbon is found as a pure element only in forms of diamonds and graphite. Graphite is widely used for many applications because of its unique combination of properties. It is slippery to touch, a good conductor of heat and electricity, is chemically inert and can withstand high temperatures and corrosive environments. Carbon is absolutely essential for life and almost every molecule in a living organism contains carbon.

The three naturally occurring allotropes of carbon are graphite, diamond, and amorphous carbon. The morphology of carbon nanoparticles is spherical, and they appear as a black powder. Carbon nanoparticles can be surface functionalized, with organic molecules or polymers chemically bound to the particle surface. Pure carbon has very low level of toxicity to humans.

Carbon nanoparticles are being explored widely for use in cancer treatment. Studies reveal that cancer treatment using radio waves can heat and destroy a tumor, lymphoma, or metastasized cancer. These particles can be used in humans. They have also been used to develop high-capacity lithium sulfur batteries. The use of a sulfur-nanocarbon electrode allows the battery call to leverage the high lithium storage capacity of sulfur atoms, whilst maintaining high electron mobility through the carbon nanoparticle matrix.

Carbon reacts with oxygen but does not react or dissolve in acids, water and other such materials. Carbon has the ability to develop long chains, which are virtually endless. For instance, plastic molecules have a long chain of carbon atoms linked to each other and some of them also have side-chains.

Carbon is present in many allotropic forms. Graphite and diamond are allotropes that possess crystalline structures. Allotropes without crystalline structures are either without a shape or amorphous. Coke, charcoal, carbon allotropes and lampblack are non-crystalline allotropes.