Novel methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanospheres) that are highly dispersed include forming a precursor composition, polymerizing the precursor composition, applying a long chain hydrocarbon surfactant to the polymerized carbon material, and carbonizing the polymerized material (e.g., through pyrolysis) to form the carbon nanostructures. The long chain hydrocarbon surfactant facilitates the formation of dispersed carbon nanostructures during the carbonization step.