The lamellar Fe/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method, and then with these prepared catalysts, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method using C2H2 as precursor. The as-prepared CNTs and Fe/Al2O3 catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectrum. The results proved that the as-prepared CNTs actually existed in bundles. And the growth of CNTs bundles should be attributed to the lamellar catalysts, which supported the bottom growth mechanism of CNTs. The transition metal of Mo was not introduced in catalysts to produce CNTs bundles, which was different with others' results. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.