Carbon nanotube was prepared by reacting CH4 over supported Ni catalyst at elevated temperature. The influences of support and other reaction conditions such as temperature, CH4 concentration and addition of O2 or CO2 to the reactant on the formation of carbon nanotube were investigated. It was found that the formation of carbon nanotube was favoured when the reaction was performed at relatively low temperature with dilute CH4 as the reactant. Addition of O2 or CO2 to the reactant is helpful to the removal of graphite and amorphous carbon deposition on the catalyst and therefore will be favorable to the growth of carbon nanotube.

Key words: OXYGEN, CATALYST, NICKEL, CARBON DIOXIDE, PYROLYSIS, METHANE