Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition from acetylene from a series of supported Pt catalysts derived from Pt-containing Mg-Al layered double hydroxide precursors. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission: electron microscopy, temperature programmed reduction, low-temperature N-2 adsorption desorption experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The effects of reaction temperature and Pt content on the morphologies and microstructures of CNFs were investigated. The results revealed that the reaction temperature of 600 degrees C was appropriate for the growth of uniform CNFs with regular shape. Furthermore, the structural defects and the diameters of CNFs were reduced with the increasing Pt content, which is attributable to the high dispersion of smaller Pt nanoparticles as well as the quick deposition rate of carbon atoms on active metal particles. The present work developed an additional approach to optimize the growth of CNFs.