A simplified are discharge apparatus was used for growing carbon nanotubes, required only water (solution) in a glass container with no need for vacuum, water-cooled chamber. Carbon nanotubes with highest purity (20%) and highest yield (7 mg/min) were obtained when using salt solution as the medium. Resonance Raman spectrum of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, (MWNTs) presented in as-grown materials war, measured and RBM peaks originating from very thin core nanotubes were observed. The results show that high-quality MWNTs can be effectively prepared in water-arcing process. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.