Nanopillar arrays of amorphous carbon nitride

► Novel synthesis of nanopillar arrays of amorphous carbon nitride using AAO membrane as the template. ► Nanoparticles and ferritin protein were immobilised on the nanorods. ► Amine groups on the surface were modified with oleic acid to bring the rods to the oil-water interface. ► Immobilised nanoparticles were found to have good catalytic activity.