Versatile Procedure for Synthesis of Janus-Type Carbon Tubes

A bulk procedure based on bipolar electrochemistry is proposed for the generation of Janus-type carbon tubes. The concept is illustrated with carbon tubes that are selectively modified at their ends with various metals and conducting polymers. No surface or interface is required to break the symmetry and therefore this approach could be used for the mass production of Janus micro- and nano-objects. We show evidence that the technique is very versatile, allowing the choice of the kind of material that is deposited and whether the end product is mono- or bifunctionalized.