Physisorption studies and transmission electron microscopy have been used to characterise multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) made by a template-synthesis technique. Microscopic investigations revealed formation of 'branched nanotubes' with significant irregularities in diameters and with structural defects on the external surfaces of the tubes. Krypton adsorption isotherms at 77 K were recorded; comparison of these isotherms with those obtained under the same conditions on well defined MWNTs made by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) technique is discussed in the light of the sample morphologies. The effect of annealing on the crystallinity of the surface is reported. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.