Electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibers were carbonized with iron(Ill) acetylacetonate to induce catalytic graphitization within the temperature range 800-1800 degrees C. Carbonization in the presence of the catalyst produced graphite nanofibers (GNFs). Their structural properties and morphology were investigated. GNFs with a high surface area of 377-473 m(2)/g showed the typical Type II containing mesopore in nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The hydrogen storage capacity of these GNFs was evaluated by the gravimetric method using a magnetic suspension balance (MSB) at room temperature and about 80 bar. The hydrogen storage capacity was 0.11-0.18 wt.%. The effective pore size for hydrogen storage compared to the diameter of the hydrogen molecule is discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.