Preparation of Single‐Handed Helical Carbon/Silica and Carbonaceous Nanotubes by Using 4,4′‐Biphenylene‐Bridged Polybissilsesquioxane

Single‐handed, helical, 4,4′‐biphenylene‐bridged polybissilsesquioxane nanotubes were prepared by using the self‐assemblies of a pair of chiral low‐molecular‐weight gelators as templates. Single‐handed, helical, carbon/silica nanotubes were obtained after carbonization of the self‐assemblies, and single‐handed helical carbonaceous nanotubes were then obtained by removal of silica with aqueous HF. Samples were characterized by using field‐emission SEM, TEM, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and circular dichroism. The polysilsesquioxane and carbonaceous structures exhibited optical activity. The walls of the carbon/silica and carbonaceous nanotubes were predominantly amorphous carbon. The surface area of the left‐handed, helical, carbonaceous nanotubes was 1439 m² g^?1, and such materials have potential applications as catalyst supports, chirality sensors, supercapacitor electrodes, and adsorbents.