A method for synthesis of fractal metallic nanostructure is provided. The method includes applying electron-beam irradiation directly on a metal-containing carbon nanosheet. Moreover, the Disclosed Invention relates to a novel method for the direct synthesis and control of fractal growth of metallic nanostructures on hybrid self-assembled metal/carbon nanosheets using electron-beam irradiation. In particular, the nanosheet is the source or the metallic precursor for the fractal nanostructure as well as the substrate on which the fractal formation takes place. In addition, the irradiation-induced interactions between the electron-beam and the carbon-based nanosheet enables the patterning and carving of the nanosheet with different designs of various complexities to eventually control the path and route of the irradiation induced nucleation and growth of the metallic fractal morphology.