Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was discovered by a Japanese researcher Sumio Iijima in 1991 by arc discharge method. CNTs derived their name from their long, tube-shaped hollow structure. They are made from graphite sheet rolled-up continuous hexagonal mesh & carbon molecules at the apexes of each hexagons. CNTs have diameter in nano meter and useful in many nanotechnology applications. These nano tubes are classified into two group: single walled and multi-walled nano tubes. Different properties of nano tubes like strength, thermal conductivity, stiffness have led into various fields. Physical and chemical properties and characteristics of CNTs are still being researched heavily. Carbon nano tubes have huge applications in miscellaneous fields. The history of nano tubes is just the beginning. Current study of CNTs has given a very promising and bright future ahead.

Keywords: CNTs, single and multi-walled nano tubes, properties of nanotubes, applications.