Abstract: Carbon nanoshells (CNSs) were produced by CO2 laser irradiated pyrolysis of C2H2 in a continuous process. Hydrophilic functional groups were introduced onto the surface of the CNSs by treatment with a mixture of boiling nitric and hydrochloric acids to improve their dispersive characteristics. TEM, XRD, FTIR, and zeta potential analysis were used to characterize the CNSs and the treated CNSs. Results showed that oxygen-containing functional groups were formed on the surface of the treated CNSs, which enhanced their dispersibility in water. The layer structure of the CNSs remained unchanged after the acid treatment.