Direct synthesis of carbon-rich composite sub-microtubes by combination of a solvothermal route and a succeeding self-assembly process

A new self-assembly route at room. temperature to produce carbon-rich composite sub-microtubes with large aspect ratios through aging a solution containing amorphous carbon nanoparticles with functional groups produced by a solvothermal carbonization of glucose in pyridine solution has been reported. The driving force of the latter assembly phenomena can be the affinities of different solutions for the functional groups grafted on the carbonaceous nanoparticles. This method shows the possibility to produce similar tubular structures by taking advantage of moderate intermolecular forces among the chemically grafted carbon nanoparticles.