Chiral carbonaceous nanotubes containing twisted carbonaceous nanoribbons, prepared by the carbonization of chiral organic self-assemblies.

Single-handed helical silica nanotubes containing chiral organic self-assemblies were prepared by using a supramolecular templating approach. After carbonization and the removal of the silica, single-handed helical carbonaceous nanotubes that contained twisted carbonaceous nanoribbons were obtained. It is believed that the nanotubes formed as a result of the adsorption of low-molecular-weight gelators. The twisted nanoribbons were formed because of the carbonization of the organic self-assemblies. The samples were characterized by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. For the samples carbonized at 900 °C for 3.0 h, a partially graphitized structure was identified. The circular dichroism (CD) spectra indicated that the twisted nanoribbons exhibited optical activity. The CD spectrum was simulated by using time-dependent density functional theory. The results suggested that the CD signals originated from the chiral stacking of aromatic rings.