Synthesis of Enantiopure Carbonaceous Nanotubes with Optical Activity

In one step, self-assembled helical polypyrrole nanotubes were carbonized to enantiopure chiral carbonaceous nanotubes with a partially graphitized nanostructure (see picture). The ordered helical arrangement of the carbon nanostructure resulted in enantiomeric materials with distinct optical activity. Moreover, their unique structure endowed them with high reversible storage capacity of lithium ions.