An alternative method for decorating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Ni nanoparticles is described. In this work our purpose is to establish a novel and low cost alternative route for coating the outer walls of multiwalled CNTs with metals such as Ni. Using nanotubes during the dissociation of nickel nitrate upon dehydration, it is possible to obtain nanostructured nickel oxide. After reduction of this metal oxide in H, nickel nanoparticles, are obtained and randomly anchored to the surface of nanotubes. Comparative experiments were carried out using pure and nitrogen-containing CNTs. A detailed characterization of the products is also presented. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.