An apparatus and method for synthesizing nanostructures. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a reactor having a reaction zone and a conductive susceptor positioned in the reaction zone. The method includes the steps of transporting a gas mixture having an aerosolized catalyst, a feedstock and a carrier gas into the reaction zone of the reactor, inductively heating the reaction zone, and regulating a flow rate of the gas mixture to allow the catalyst to spend a sufficient amount of time in the reaction zone for the growth of nanostructures.