Controllable modification of hydrophilic groups on tubular nanostructured carbon with hollow macroporous core/mesoporous shell (TNC-HMC/MS) was systematically studied and the mesoporous structure of TNC-HMC/MS has been kept. Different oxidants were used to modify the TNC-HMC/MS. Results revealed that the TNC-HMC/MS could be modified with carboxyl or hydroxy by different oxidants. More importantly, the BET/BJH results indicated that the mesoporous shell of TNC-HMC/MS has not been destroyed. In addition, water-soluble ammonium metatungstate has been encapsulated into the hallow core of TNC-HMC/MS and formed nanodot, bamboo-like and nanowire morphology. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.