A method using a hydrogen arc for synthesizing large quantities of carbon nanotubes filled with pure copper is reported. The interaction of small copper clusters with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is shown to form carbon nanotubes and encapsulated copper nanowires. The effectiveness of this model is demonstrated by showing that no copper filled nanotubes are formed in a helium arc that does not generate PAHs. A direct proof of this model is demonstrated by using pyrene, a PAH molecule, to grow carbon nanotubes and encapsulated copper nanowires.