Regularly coiled carbon nanofibers with a novel "V"-type symmetric growth mode were synthesized by the decomposition of acetylene with nanocopper catalysts. These were obtained from an aqueous copper sulfate solution by borohydride reduction and from the decomposition of copper tartrate, butyrate, oxalate, and lactate precursors, whereas copper nanoparticles prepared by the hydrogen-arc plasma only revealed ribbon-like fibers under identical reaction conditions. The morphology of the catalyst particles before and after fiber growth has been investigated and the effect of the synthesis method on the morphology and growth of the fibers is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.