Striking influence of chain structure of polyethylene on the formation of cup-stacked carbon nanotubes/carbon nanofibers under the combined catalysis of CuBr and NiO.

Highlights: [•] Catalytic carbonization of PE into cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CS-CNTs). [•] Yield and morphology of CS-CNTs were modulated by the chain structure of PE. [•] The chain structure of PE significantly influenced the degradation products of PE. [•] The degradation products of PE determined the growth of CS-CNTs. [•] This one-pot approach offers a potential way to convert waste plastics into CS-CNTs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]