A spark discharge generator for scalable aerosol CVD synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes with tailored characteristics

•A spark-discharge generator used in the aerosol CVD growth of carbon nanotubes.•The current and the breakdown voltage affect the yield of carbon nanotubes.•The current and the breakdown voltage have zero effect on the nanotube diameter.•Separation of nanoparticle formation and nanotube nucleation enhances scalability.•The aerosol of single-walled carbon nanotubes of mean l < 500 nm were obtained.