Techniques have been developed to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in sizable quantities, including arc discharge, laser ablation, high-pressure carbon monoxide disproportionation, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Most of these processes take place in a vacuum or with process gases.

The production of carbon nanotubes can be done by plasma based synthesis method or arc discharge evaporation method, laser ablation method, thermal synthesis process, chemical vapor deposition and by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

There are many methods for the preparation of carbon nanotubes, including chemical vapour deposition, laser vaporisation, arc discharge and flame synthesis, and in particular, the flame method, 14–16 which has advantages during continuous preparation on a large scale, and the equipment of flame pyrolysis is very simply and the reaction is conducted in an air atmosphere.