Carbon nanotubes were synthesized with toluene as carbon source and solvent at 350 degrees C under stiring situation. In this process, La/Ni were used as catalyst, which were reduced via LaCl3 and NiCl2 with sodium as reductant. The products were characterized with X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The carbon nanotubes had diameters ranging from 100-200 nm and lengths ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. The yield of carbon nanotubes, in accordance with TEM observations was estimated to be about 70%. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.