A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique was developed to synthesize carbon nanomaterials using liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as the carbon source. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced using commercial hydrogen storage materials (LaNi5 and TiFe) powders as the catalyst. Nickel micro-wire arrays were synthesized using a template technique, and were subsequently used to synthesize a CNT mat. Nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized by one or more of the following methods; scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. CNTs with magnesium and/or palladium nanoparticles deposited using sono-chemical methods had a hydrogen storage capacity above 3.0wt%. The nickel micro-wire and CNT composite was found to be more active for hydrogen production when compared to nickel foils, and bare nickel micro-wires. (c) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.