Large scale nest arrays of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NA-MWCNT) were grown on silicon nanoporous pillar arrays (Si-NPA) by thermal chemical vapour deposition at 700, 800, and 900 degrees C respectively for 15 min. The corresponding field emission properties were also studied. It was found that growth temperature had a significant effect on the performance of CNTs, the fleld emission efficiency of NA-MWCNT/Si-NPA synthesized at 900 degrees C was higher than that of the other two types of samples. By hiring scanning electron microscope observing and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis, the reason was attributed to numerous nanoparticles appearance on the surface of the CNT and highly folding graphite sheets formation on both sides of the nanotubes fabricated at 900 degrees C. Both could enhance emission properties by lowering the effective work function and increasing the field enhancement factor as well as the number of the emission sites. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.