Enhanced Field Emission of WS2 Nanotubes

Results on electron field emission from free standing tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanotubes (NTs) are presented. Experiments show that the NTs protruding on top of microstructures are efficient cold emitters with turn‐on fields as low as 1 V/μm and field enhancement of few thousands. Furthermore, the emission current shows remarkable stability over more than eighteen hours of continuous operation. Such performance and long‐term stability of the WS₂ cathodes is comparable to that reported for optimized carbon nanotube (CNTs) based emitters. Besides this, it is found that the WS₂ cathodes prepared are less sensitive than CNTs in chemical reactive ambients. The high field enhancement and superior reliability achieved indicates a potential for vacuum nanoelectronics and flat panel display applications.     

碳纳米管表面化学镀银及场发射性能研究

利用化学镀方法对碳纳米管(carbon nano-tubes,CNTs)表面金属化镀银,研究表面化学镀银碳纳米管的场发射性能。碳纳米管经氧化处理后,表面存在一些羰基(CO)、羧基(—COOH)和羟基(—OH)等活性基团,经敏化、活化处理后,形成金属钯活化中心,进而还原金属银离子,从而获得表面化学镀银的碳纳米管。表面化学镀银碳纳米管阴极的开启电场约为0.19V/μm,当电场强度为0.37V/μm时,最大发射电流达6mA/cm2,场增强因子约为25565。实验结果表明,化学镀银层可以提高碳纳米管的电子传输和热传输能力,提高碳纳米管的场发射电流和发射稳定性,有利于碳纳米管在场发射平板显示领域的应用。     

Plasma treatment effects on surface morphology and field emission characteristics of carbon nanotubes

In this study, electron field-emission properties of carbon nanotube films (CNTs) grown on silicon substrate before and after tetrafluoromethane (CF₄), hydrogen (H₂) and argon (Ar) plasma etchings were investigated. The CNTs were synthesized by thermal decomposition of methane in the presence of nickel catalyst. Our research results reveal that plasma treatment can modify the surface morphology and enhance the field-emission characteristics of CNTs regardless of the plasma used. The CNTs treated by both non-reactive and reactive plasmas have a higher density of defect and a smaller average diameter reflecting the etching effects of plasma treatments. In addition, higher emission currents and lower turn-on electric fields are also obtained for the CNTs after plasma treatment. As expected, reactive plasma treatment has a more pronounced effect on the surface morphology and field-emission characteristics of the synthesized CNTs than non-reactive plasma treatment. In particular, a huge increase in emission current (more than three orders of magnitude at high electric fields) and a substantial lower turn-on electric field are found for the CNTs after H₂ plasma treatment. This huge increase in the emitted current is primarily caused by the increase in the density of field-emission sites resulting from the change of surface morphology and the –CH _x nanoparticles redeposited on the CNTs.     

Novel ring structure for minimisation of screening effect in carbon nanotube based field emitters

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates for cold cathodes because of their high aspect ratio and robustness. However, the major hindrance in cold cathode based applications is the screening effect, which reduces the effective field at the tip and thereby the current density. The emission current can be improved by minimising the screening effect. The adverse effect of screening can be addressed by either controlling the growth density or by optimising the patterns of CNT cathodes. Here, novel patterns have been used to increase edge length per unit area in planar vertically aligned CNT bundles. Our motive was to increase the number of effective emitters, since the CNT at the edges are less screened by the proximal CNTs. By varying geometry and spacing of solid CNT dot patterns and by introducing the square ring structures; we could successfully enhance the effective emitters at the edges. It has been observed that an enhancement of edge length from 0.032 per micron to 0.2 per micron increases the current density from 0.71mA/cm² to 16.2 mA/cm² at a field of 4.5 V/μm. CNTs in dotted structure with high value of edge length per unit area emit very high current density as compared to other dotted structures with low value of edge length per unit area Simulation studies confirms our argument that CNTs at the corners are the least screened and have the maximum local electric field.     

Electron-emission properties of carbon nanotube micro-tips coated by amorphous carbon nitride films

An approach to the preparation of a tip-type of field emitter that is made up of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated with amorphous carbon nitride (a-CN_x) films is presented for the purpose of enhancing its electron emission property. CNTs were directly grown on nano-sized conical-type tungsten tips via the inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition system, and a-CN_x films were coated on the CNTs using an radio frequency magnetron sputtering system. The morphologies and microstructures of the a-CN_x-coated CNTs were analyzed via field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electron emission properties of the a-CN_x/CNT hetero-structures were measured using a high-vacuum field emission measurement system. The best field emission properties, such as a very low turn-on voltage of 500 V and a maximum emission current of 176 μA were achieved for the CNT emitter coated with the 5 nm-thick a-CN_x film. In addition, this emitter showed a highly stable behavior in long-term (up to 25 h) electron emission.     

Optimization of field emission properties of carbon nanotubes cathodes by electrophoretic deposition

Cold cathodes of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were deposited on the glass substrate by the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The cathodes were tested in the diode construction with the cathode–anode gap of 170 μm in vacuum. The emission characteristics of the CNTs film cathodes have as good properties as those by screen printing and better emission uniformity. The influence of the voltage between electrodes in the electrophoretic process of flat cold cathode fabrication on the uniformity of the CNTs film distribution was studied. The results indicate that the uniformity of CNTs film cathode by EPD depends on the voltage between electrodes during the electrophoretic deposition. The uniformity of CNTs film and optimized emission properties of the cathode have been achieved when the voltage is 25 V.     

Magnetic field enhances the graphitized structure and field emission effect of carbon nanotubes

This study uses a low temperature thermal chemical vapor deposition with an applied external magnetic field to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on Ni/Ag-printed glass substrates. A mixture of C₂H₂ and H₂ gas was used for the growth of the CNTs. A Ni catalyst layer was deposited on the Ag-printed glass substrate by pulse electroplating. Scanning electron micrographs as well as the presence of two sharp peaks at 1320 cm⁻¹ (D band) and 1590 cm⁻¹ (G band) in the Raman spectra indicate that the graphitized structure of CNTs synthesized under a magnetic field has higher quality (i.e., a D-band to G-band intensity ratio of 0.303) than CNTs synthesized without a magnetic field. Transmission electron micrographs show a fine Ni catalyst at the tip of the tube for CNTs synthesized under a magnetic field, exhibiting a CNT “tip-growth” model. The synthesis of CNTs in the presence of a magnetic field also generates better field emission properties and better lighting morphology than without a magnetic field.     

Effective electron emitters by molybdenum oxide-coated carbon nanotubes core–shell nanostructures

In this article, we showed that simple metal oxide coatings such as MoO₃ can be an effective enhancer for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in field emission (FE) performance. For comparison, the FE properties of the pristine vertically aligned multi-walled CNTs with the metal oxide-coated CNTs were investigated. The metal oxide coating of the pristine CNTs was carried out by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method at 400 °C using Mo(CO)₆ as the precursor. The core–shell structure of the nanocomposite was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that the surface of the coating material was mainly MoO₃. FE test indicated that the MoO₃-coated CNTs film exhibited an enhanced performance than the pristine CNTs with a turn-on field of 1.33 V μm⁻¹ and a field enhancement factor β estimated to be ~7000. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) results confirmed a lower electron emission barrier height for MoO₃-coated CNTs than for the pristine CNTs. The mechanism of the enhanced FE performance is discussed based on Schottky barrier effect.     

Field emission of carbon nanotubes grown on nickel substrate

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized directly on the electrically conducting nickel substrate without additional catalyst. Field emission properties of the as-prepared sample were characterized using parallel plate diode configurations. It was observed that the field emission qualitatively follows the conventional Fowler–Nordheim (F–N) theory from the straight line of ln(I/V²) versus 1/V plot at the high applied field region. The uniformity and stability of the electron emission have also been examined. The low electron turn-on field (E_to) and high emission current density indicates the potential applications of this new CNT-based emitter.     

Carbon nanotubes as field emitter

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently emerged as a promising material of electron field emitters. They exhibit extraordinary field emission properties because of their high electrical conductivity, high aspect ratio "needle like" shape for optimum geometrical field enhancement, and remarkable thermal stability. In this Review, we emphasize the estimation and influencing factors of CNTs' emission properties, and discuss in detail the emission properties of macroscopic CNT cathodes, especially fabricated by transplant methods, and describe recent progress on understanding of CNT field emitters and analyze issues related to applications of CNT based cold cathodes in field emission display (FED). We foresee that CNT-FED will take an important place in display technologies in the near future.     

表面态对碳纳米管场发射的影响

采用CVD法在Ni丝上直接沉积碳纳米管,并应用二极管结构测试表面态(突出尖端和吸附)对碳纳米管场发射的影响。测试表明,突出尖端主要影响碳纳米管场发射的开启电场以及场发射电流稳定性;吸附作用的影响表现在改变碳纳米管能带结构进而改变其场发射性能。     

Field emission properties of RuO2 thin film coated on carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely applied in field emission (FE) due to their high geometric aspect ratio and low work function. More recently, researchers have introduced ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂) as a field emitter because of its excellent chemical and thermal stability due to its oxide nature. This study used the surface morphology of CNTs and the field emission (FE) stability of RuO₂ to improve FE characteristics. Since the work functions of CNTs and RuO₂ are very close, this study combined these two elements by applying a thin film of RuO₂ on the CNT surface. In the process of covering the tips of CNTs with a thin film of RuO₂ eventually obtained the best matching of these two elements. The study not only enhanced the FE performance of CNTs but also extended FE lifetime by applying a thin film of RuO₂ on the CNT tips.     

Field emission properties of RuO2 thin film coated on carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been widely applied in field emission (FE) due to their high geometric aspect ratio and low work function. More recently, researchers have introduced ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂) as a field emitter because of its excellent chemical and thermal stability due to its oxide nature. This study used the surface morphology of CNTs and the field emission (FE) stability of RuO₂ to improve FE characteristics. Since the work functions of CNTs and RuO₂ are very close, this study combined these two elements by applying a thin film of RuO₂ on the CNT surface. In the process of covering the tips of CNTs with a thin film of RuO₂ eventually obtained the best matching of these two elements. The study not only enhanced the FE performance of CNTs but also extended FE lifetime by applying a thin film of RuO₂ on the CNT tips.     

电泳沉积制备平行栅碳纳米管场发射阴极的研究

利用磁控溅射、光刻、湿法刻蚀和电泳技术在玻璃基片上成功制备平行栅场发射阴极阵列,用光学显微镜、场发射扫描电镜和拉曼光谱观察了碳纳米管的形貌和结构,并测试所制备的平行栅碳纳米管阴极的场发射性能.光学显微镜和场发射电子显微镜测试表明,平行栅结构阴极和栅极交替地分布,同一个平面内,CNTs有选择性地沉积在平行栅结构中的阴极表...     

X-ray images obtained from cold cathodes using carbon nanotubes coated with gallium-doped zinc oxide thin films

X-ray imaging data obtained from cold cathodes using gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO)-coated CNT emitters are presented. Multi-walled CNTs were directly grown on conical-type (250 μm-diameter) tungsten-tip substrates at 700 °C via inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD). GZO films were deposited on the grown CNTs at room temperature using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to monitor the variations in the morphology and microstructure of the CNTs before and after GZO coating. The formation of the GZO layers on the CNTs was confirmed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The CNT-emitter that was coated with a 10-nm-thick GZO film displayed an excellent performance, such as a maximum emission current of 258 μA (at an applied field of 4 V/μm) and a threshold field of 2.20 V/μm (at an emission current of 1.0 μA). The electric-field emission characteristics of the GZO-coated CNT emitter and of the pristine (i.e., non-coated) CNT emitter were compared, and the images from an X-ray system were obtained by using the GZO-coated CNT emitter as the cold cathode for X-ray generation.     

Carbon nanotubes anchored with SnO2 nanosheets as anode for enhanced Li-ion storage

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) anchored with SnO₂ nanosheets were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The electrochemical performances of SnO₂ nanosheets/CNTs composite were measured by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the SnO₂ nanosheets/CNTs composite maintains high lithium storage capacity and good cycling stability. The designed structure plays key role in improving electrochemical performance. The CNTs anchored with SnO₂ nanosheets will be an ideal candidate of anode material for lithium ion batteries.     

高场发射性能碳纳米管薄膜的沉积与表征

利用电泳法将碳纳米管（CNTs）沉积在表面镀覆了50～150 nm Ti薄膜的Si基底表面,900℃真空退火后形成了具有良好场发射性能的Ti-CNTs薄膜阴极.利用X射线衍射和扫描电子显微镜对制备的Ti-CNTs薄膜进行了表征.结果表明,高温退火过程中,CNTs的C原子和基底表面的Ti原子发生化学反应,在CNTs与基底之间形成了导电性钛碳化物,明显改善了CNTs与基底之间的电导性和附着力等界面接触性能;与Si基底表面直接电泳沉积的CNTs薄膜相比,制备的Ti-CNTs薄膜的开启电场从1.31 V/μm降低到1.19 V/μm;当电场强度为2.50 V/μm时,Ti-CNTs薄膜的场发射电流密度可达13.91 mA/cm^2;制备的Ti-CNTs薄膜显示出改善的发射稳定性.     

Investigation and Comparing the Effects of CNTs and Ag Nanoparticles Doping on YBCO Superconductor Properties

In this work, we investigate and compare doping effects of Ag nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the properties of Y₁Ba₂Cu₃ O _7?δ (YBCO) high-temperature superconductor. The YBCO samples were prepared using sol-gel method and characterized by resistivity versus temperature (ρ–T), the electrical field versus current density (E–J), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The results show that the orthorhombic phase of superconductivity was formed for all the prepared samples. Also, we found that the crystalline size of the YBCO samples decreases from 62 to 33 nm by adding CNTs and Ag nanoparticles to the compound. The pinning energy, critical current density and critical temperature of the samples increase by adding CNTs and Ag nanoparticles to YBCO compound, but CNTs play a more effective role than Ag nanoparticles in this compound.     

Structural modification and enhanced electron emission from multiwalled carbon nanotubes grown on Ag/Fe catalysts coated Si-substrates

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes and carbon nano-filaments were grown using Fe as the main catalyst and Ag as a co-catalyst by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition. In this work we demonstrate the growth behaviour of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on pure Fe-film and Ag–Fe films. We find that using Ag film beneath Fe film significantly abate the catalyst–substrate interactions by acting as a barrier layer as well as enhances the nucleation sites for the growth of CNTs due to the limited solubility with Fe and silicon. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies were carried out to image the microstructures of the samples. It was observed that the length of Fe catalyzed CNTs was ∼500 nm and Ag–Fe catalyzed CNTs varied from ∼600 nm to 1.7 μm. Micro Raman spectroscopy confirmed the improved crystalline nature of Ag–Fe CNTs. It was found that I_D/I_G ratio for Fe catalyzed CNTs was ∼1.08 and for Ag–Fe catalyzed CNTs was ∼0.7. The Ag–Fe catalyzed CNTs were found to be less defective as compared to Fe catalyzed CNTs. Field emission measurements using diode configuration, showed that electron emission from Ag–Fe catalyzed CNTs was much stronger as compared to Fe catalyzed CNTs. The threshold field for Ag–Fe catalyzed CNTs was (2.6 V μm⁻¹) smaller as compared to Fe catalyzed CNTs (3.8 V μm⁻¹) and thus shows better emission properties. This enhancement in electron emission mechanism as a result of introduction of Ag underlayer is attributed to the increased emitter sites and improved crystallinity.