We have investigated the morphology and microstructure of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles in cathode deposits prepared by self-sustained arc discharge. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate that there are two regions exhibiting different morphologies on the top surface of the cathode deposits. In the central region, there is a triangular pattern of spots with a diameter up to 100µm, which consists of carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. In the fringe region, carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles are distributed randomly. In addition, carbon nanotubes in the central region have a larger inner diameter, compared with those in the fringe region. The outer diameter distribution of tubes in the central region is narrower than that of tubes in the fringe region, while the former has a smaller peak value than the latter. For the nanoparticles, they exhibit a different behaviour from the tubes existing in the same region. The difference between the microstructure of tubes or particles in the two regions is attributed to the different temperatures and temperature gradients during their formation.