Abstract: The invention relates to a method of structuring a catalyst on a support, characterised in that it comprises the following stages: depositing of a layer of catalyst on the support; annealing of the structure thus created to obtain a fractionation of the layer of catalyst in the shape of drops; etching of the fractionated layer of catalyst to adjust the density of the catalyst drops. The invention also relates to a method of carbon nanotube growth on the catalyst drops present on the structure obtained according to the method of structuring. Finally, the invention relates to a device comprising a cathode and an anode, the cathode comprising a layer of carbon nanotubes made according to the method of nanotube growth. No figures.