Single-walled nitrogen doped nanotubes were prepared using two novel approaches in an arc-discharge process. In both cases a nitrogen-rich precursor was introduced into the anode rods together with graphite and the catalysts. The nitrogen rich precursors were organic and inorganic, respectively. Both synthesis routes gave nanotubes with a nitrogen concentration of a maximum of 1%, determined using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) coupled with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All samples were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TEM, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.