The present disclosure describes methods for growing carbon nanotubes on metal substrates. The methods include depositing a catalytic material on a metal substrate to form a catalyst-laden metal substrate; optionally depositing a non-catalytic material on the metal substrate prior to, after, or concurrently with the catalytic material; conveying the catalyst-laden metal substrate through a carbon nanotube growth reactor having carbon nanotube growth conditions therein; and growing carbon nanotubes on the catalyst-laden metal substrate. The catalyst-laden metal substrate can optionally remain stationary while the carbon nanotubes are being grown. The catalytic material can be a catalyst or a catalyst precursor. The catalytic material and the optional non-catalytic material can be deposited on the metal substrate from one or more solutions by, for example, spray coating or dip coating techniques.