Iron and molybdenum containing sol-gel catalysts were prepared using various methods, i.e. different solvents, metal salts and different drying processes - including the application of chelating agent or freeze-drying - and investigated in the synthesis of single wall carbon nanotubes. The quality and quantity of the product proved to be very sensitive to the synthesis parameters and also to the composition and preparation way of the catalyst. It was demonstrated that there is no significant correlation between the catalytic activity and the specific surface area, while the texture of the catalyst influenced by the preparation way is a much more important factor. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.