In this research carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized via self-propagation high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The exothermic reaction between aluminum and iron oxide was used for preparing the heat required for SHS. In addition, the iron produced from the reaction can play as a role of catalyst for growing the CNTs/CNFs in the presence of activated carbon. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman analysis, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method were used to characterize the samples. It was found that the amount of activated carbon in the initial powders has an essential effect on the reaction products. In less than 5 wt% activated carbon, the SHS process is performed completely otherwise, the activated carbon does not participate in the chemical reaction and acts as strong diluents as well as controller of the reaction factors.

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