As a new category of carbonaceous material

carbon nanofiber (CNF) has been extensively studied due to its unique characteristics. CNF is usually classified according to the angle between fiber axis and graphene sheets

that is

platelet

fishbone and tubular CNF. CNF with different microstructures could be synthesized by adjusting the preparation methods. For catalytic chemical vapor deposition method

the structural properties of the as-synthesized CNF are kinetically controlled. The differences of the structure properties of CNF with different microstructures would lead to different ratios of edge/basal atoms and consequently distributions of surface oxygen complex

wettability and other properties. When using CNF as catalyst support

morphologies

particle size distribution

interaction between the CNF support and metal particles and crystal plane orientation could be manipulated

leading to different catalytic performance. CNF has its own catalytic activities as verified by oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes as solid base catalyst. The activities originate from the existence of heteroatoms on CNF surface

e.g.

surface oxygen complexes and doped N. Since the chemistry of CNF surface depends on its microstructure

the great influence of structure properties on their catalytic performance has been evidenced in many researches. CNF with macroscopic shaping could be prepared through several methods. The characteristics of fluid dynamics of a CNF/graphite felt is also reviewed.