Abstract: Carbon nanotubes were produced by catalytic thermal decomposition using metal Ni nanopartical as catalyst.
X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope were used to determine the size and morphology of carbon nanotubes. The results show that carbon
nanotubes are 20--30nm in diameter and longer than 100nm with a high order degree of graphitization. There are a large amount of nanochannels lead to
higher specific capacity. The carbon nanotubes exhibit a high electrochemical storage lithium capacity, being 654mAh/g at first cycle
and having a good cycling stability.

Key words: carbon nanotubes, lithium ion battery, electrochemical storage lithium