The synthesis of well-aligned nitrogen containing carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) on alumina membrane template is described. The nanotubes were characterized by elemental analysis, electron microscopic analyses, Raman, IR and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopic techniques. SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and AFM images reveal the hollow structures and vertically aligned features of the nanotubes. Raman spectrum shows the characteristic bands at 1290 cm-1 (D-band) and 1590 cm-1 (G-band). IR spectral bands indicated the characteristic C-N bonds in carbon nanotubes. This confirms the presence of nitrogen atoms in the carbon framework. The XPS and elemental analyses further indicate significant amount of nitrogen in the nanotubes. IR, elemental and XPS analyses clearly provide evidence for the presence of nitrogen in carbon nanotubes. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.