Carbon nanotube production method

A carbon nanotube production method, comprising processes processed in following order:

• a preparation process preparing a catalyst solution having a predetermined concentration by dissolving a transition metal salt in a solvent, the catalyst solution having a concentration of from 0.2 mole per liter to 0.8 mole per liter including 0.2 mole per liter and 0.8 mole per liter, the catalyst solution free of terpineol, and preparing a substrate having a surface;
• a catalyst supporting process making the surface of the substrate support catalyst particles by making the substrate pulled out from the catalyst solution dry in ambient air after dipping the substrate into the catalyst solution;
• and
• a carbon nanotube growing process growing a carbon nanotube aggregate having a perpendicular orientation characteristic on the surface of the substrate where the carbon nanotubes grow in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate by making a carbon nanotube forming gas containing a carbon component contact with the surface of the substrate at a temperature within a carbon nanotube forming temperature region.