It is well known that solid carbons can be found in various guises
with different forms of bulk phases (graphites, diamonds and
carbynes) as well as more molecular forms (fullerenes, nanotubes and
graphenes) resulting from recent discoveries.
The cause of this rich polymorphism is analyzed in the first part
of this book (chapters 1-5) with the propensity of carbon atoms for
forming different types of homopolar chemical bonds associated with
variable coordination numbers. Precursor organic molecules and
parent compounds are also described to establish specific links
with this rich polymorphism.
Then in a second part (chapters 6-10) a comparative review of
the main classes of bulk physical properties is presented. This
approach emphasizes in particular the electronic behavior
of (pi) polyaromatic systems organized in plane and curved
atomic sheets. Finally in a third part (chapters 11-15) the
surface and interface characteristics are introduced together with
the texture and morphology of these multiscale carbon materials. An
overview of the main field of applications is related showing the
large use and interest for these solids.

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