Preparation of carbon nanoparticles and nanofibers by a simple microwave based method and studying the field emission properties

► A novel and simple microwave based method for preparation of carbon nanostructures were developed. ► The mw-plasma method can produce catalyst nanoparticles from a solid metallic source. ► The resulting nanostructure exhibit good field emission (FE) properties. ► Deposition of nanoparticles through the mw-plasma method improves field emission properties.