In this work, an approach of controllable distance of catalytic nanoparticles (NPs) shrouded in shell layer for carbon nanotube (CNT) growth has been developed with the aid of the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Coagulation of core-shell NPs was controlled by the surface pressure of the LB technique. Scanning electron microscope images show that core-shell NP LB film without coagulation and vacancies was observed. The approach of core-shell NP LB film revealed in this work could potentially be applied in catalytic NP monolayer formation and high activity of catalytic NPs for CNT growth. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.