Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of CNTs synthesis methods including arc discharge, laser ablation, and CVD techniques

Synthesis techniques	Advantages	Disadvantages
Arc discharge	High rate of CNT production (Justino et al. 2013) Easy availability of raw materials (Rafique and Iqbal 2011) Ease of process control (Rafique and Iqbal 2011)	Relatively low-yield process (Harris 2009) Non-continuous process (Harris 2009; Justino et al. 2013) Lack of control over the impurities in CNTs (Karimi et al. 2015c) High energy consumption (high temperature process) (Karimi et al. 2015c)
Laser ablation	Production of high purity CNTs (Maser et al. 2001)	Difficult purification process (Maser et al. 2001) Labor-intensive and expensive process (Harris 2009; Justino et al. 2013) High energy consumption (high temperature process) (Karimi et al. 2015c))
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)	High yield process (Karimi et al. 2015c) Tunable growth direction of CNTs (Justino et al. 2013)	Production of CNTs with poorer mechanical properties (less perfect structure in CNTs with higher density of defects) (Harris 2009)