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

- 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.