Abstract Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (CNF) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) have been synthesized from camphor by catalytic thermal CVD method on Co and Co/Fe thin films (for CNF) and on silicon substrates using a mixture of camphor and ferrocene (for MWCN). CNF and MWCN are studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, visible Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction in order to get insight into the microstructure and morphology of these materials. Field electron emission study indicates turn-on field of about 2.56, 3.0 and 6.5 V/μm for MWCN, Co/CNF and Co/Fe/CNF films, respectively. The best performance of MWCN in field electron emission among the materials studied can be due to the highest aspect ratio, good graphitization and good density.