[Purpose/significance] Analysis on the complex process of scientific research topic evolution can help scholars grasp research focus, research frontiers and developing trend, however the current topic evolution researches mainly analyze evolution from a single dimension. [Method/process] This paper builds a topic evolution analysis model based on the topic popularity, evolution status and evolution path, with carbon nanotubes research area as an example for the empirical research. Firstly, the paper collects and preprocesses relevant scientific literature data, and uses the PLDA model to identify the topics. Then based on the multi-dimensional topic evolution analysis model, combining with visualization technology, the paper constructs the multi-dimensional scientific knowledge map to analyze the topic popularity, evolution status, macro evolution venation and micro evolution path,which can clearly depict the topic evolution venation and trends in the field of carbon nanotubes. [Result/conclusion] Results show multi-dimensional topic evolution analysis model can accurately analyze the complex process of the topic evolution life cycle.