Field emission from individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes prepared in an electron microscope

Individual multiwalled carbon nanotube field emitters were prepared in a scanning electron microscope. The angular current density, energy spectra, and the emission stability of the field-emitted electrons were measured. An estimate of the electron source brightness was extracted from the measurements. The results show that carbon nanotubes are promising candidates to replace existing sources in high-resolution electron beam instruments.     

Analysis of Field Emission Properties of Carbon Nanocoils for Imaging Materials

Carbon nanotubes and nanocoils are expected as the charging materials and electron gun for the imaging devices. It is synthesized for carbon nanocoils with different diameters by the catalytic thermal decomposition of acetylene using iron-indium-tin-oxide catalysts. It is found that the turn-on voltage is decreased by decreasing the average diameter of the grown carbon nanocoils. The turn on voltage of as low as 30 V at the electrodes' gap of 130 μm has been achieved when the coil diameter is decreased to 60 nm. The calculation for the concentration of the electric field on the coil surface has been performed using a finite element method. It is obtained that the strength of electric field around the top ring of a coil is increased with the decrease of the tubular diameter of the coil and has a similar value for that at the tip of a carbon nanotube, suggesting that the efficiency of the field emission from nanocoils would be higher than that from nanotubes. These results can explain the good stability of field emission from carbon nanocoils.     

Unusual secondary electron emission behavior in carbon nanotube forests

Electron yield was measured from patterned carbon nanotube forests for a wide range of primary beam energies (400–20,000 eV). It was observed that secondary and backscattered electron emission behaviors in these forests are quite different than in bulk materials. This seems to be primarily because of the increased range of electrons due to the porous nature of the forests and dependent on their structural parameters, namely nanotube length, diameter and inter‐nanotube spacing. In addition to providing insight into the electron microscopy of nanotubes, these results have interesting implications on designing novel secondary electron emitters based on the structural degrees of freedom of nanomaterials. SCANNING 31: 221–228, 2009. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of Carbon Nanotube Addition on Tribological Behavior of UHMWPE

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) to improve the tribological properties of UHMWPE. CNTs which have a diameter of about 10–50 nm, while their length is about 3–5 nm were produced by the catalytic decomposition of acetylene gas using a tube furnace. Ball-on-disc-type wear tests were performed to evaluate the tribological performance of UHMWPE composites reinforced with CNTs. The results showed that addition of carbon nanotube up to 0.5 wt% lowered wear loss significantly and increased friction coefficient slightly. Also through the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the surfaces of UHMWPE were observed and analyzed to discuss the tribological behavior of CNT added UHMWPE.     

Scanning probe microscopy installed with nanotube probes and nanotube tweezers

We have developed well-controlled processes for the growth and manipulation of carbon nanotubes. The relatively thin multiwalled nanotubes were prepared with high purity by arc discharge with a high gas temperature. In the manipulation of nanotubes, the first crucial process is to prepare a nanotube array, so-called nanotube cartridge. We have found the alternated current electrophoresis of nanotubes by which nanotubes are aligned at the knife-edge of a disposal razor. The second important process is to transfer a nanotube from the nanotube cartridge onto a substrate in a scanning electron microscope. Using this method, we have developed nanotube probes and nanotube tweezers that operate in a scanning probe microscope (SPM). The nanotube probes have been applied for observation of biological samples and industrial samples to clarify their advantages. The nanotube tweezers have been demonstrated for their motion in scanning electron microscope and operated to carry a nanomaterial in a SPM.     

Modeling the electron field emission from carbon nanotube films.

A theoretical framework for the electron field emission from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is discussed. Using the tunneling theory, the influence of the detailed electron energy dispersion is proven to be of little importance for the electron field emission. By means of numerical computations in a simplified model, the influence of the environment on the local field on a CNT is discussed for an aligned CNT film. In a simple triangular model for the potential energy barrier at the tube end, a tunneling probability was obtained. A statistical model was developed for the structural and functional parameters of aligned CNT films. Practical CNT films of excellent alignment, obtained directly on a tungsten wire by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, were analyzed by this statistical model. Their distribution in the enhancement factors was thus deduced. An indirect method to get the average electrical parameters of the film using only a limited amount of experimental data was thus established.     

Field-dependent electron emission patterns from individual SWCNTs simulated with a multi-scale algorithm

The electron distribution of open-ended single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with chirality indexes (7,0) and (5,5) in field emission conditions was calculated via a multi-scaled algorithm. The field emission images were produced numerically. It was found that the emission patterns change with the applied macroscopic field. Especially, the symmetry of the emission pattern of the (7,0) carbon nanotube is breaking in the lower field but the breaking is less obvious in the higher field. The magnification factor increases with the applied macroscopic field.     

Growth of compound single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are complement to each other in many of their physical properties. We report the synthesis of carbon nanotube cables-a form of compound single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes which could have the superior properties of both the SWCNTs and MWCNTs. This compound form of carbon nanotubes consists of a bundle of SWCNTs formed into a MWCNT, and the diameter of the inner most shell of the MWCNT ranges from a few to tens nanometers. The growth of these compound carbon nanotubes cannot be explained readily via existing modes of carbon nanotube growth, but promises a new way for improving and controlling the physical properties of either single- or multi-walled carbon nanotubes.     

Preparation and characterization of single-walled carbon nanotube/nylon 6, 6 nanocomposites

Morphological, thermal, mechanical, and solvent uptake was characterized for neat nylon 6, 6 and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube/nylon 6, 6. Single-walled carbon nanotubes were functionalized by acid which introduced carboxyl groups on the nanotubes. Scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces of the nanocomposites suggested that the functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes were dispersed and embedded within the nylon 6, 6 polymer matrix. Polarized optical micrographs showed that the size of spherulites of the nanocomposites decreased, which may be due to nucleation of the carbon nanotubes. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the stability of the functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes/nylon 6, 6 nanocomposites was higher by 28–35°C than neat nylon 6, 6. The uptake of solvent by the functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube/nylon 6, 6 was lower than the neat nylon 6, 6, which may be due to the hydrophobic nature of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes and their interaction with the polymer.     

The application of carbon nanotubes in high-efficiency low power consumption field-emission luminescent tube

In this report, details are given of our recent experimental study of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as cathode of the luminescent tubes. The CNT film is synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition. Two kinds of luminescent tubes that have different gaps have been fabricated. The luminescent tube with 0.1mm gap has a low threshold voltage of about 780V and high emission current of 300 microA when the gate voltage is 970V. The DC power consumption of the luminescent tube with a 0.1mm gap is approximately 1.12W. The results show that the CNTs are very good emission sources and suitable for application in the luminescent tube.     

In situ observation of the initial growth process of carbon nanotubes by time-resolved high resolution transmission electron microscopy

We succeeded in plan-view dynamic observation of the initial formation process of carbon nanotubes from β-SiC( 1 1 1 ) surfaces by time-resolved high resolution transmission electron microscopy. At 1360 °C, the flakes of graphite layers of a fibre orientation were formed on the SiC( 1 1 1 ) surfaces. From the graphite layers, carbon nanotubes were formed perpendicular to the ( 1 1 1 ) plane of the SiC. A scanning tunnelling microscopy observation showed that the end of carbon nanotube was closed. These results indicate that the caps of the carbon nanotubes are formed by a lift of a part of the graphene along the [ 1 1 1 ] direction of the SiC through generation of pentagons and heptagons. Two types of carbon nanotube, single-wall and double-wall, were observed in plan-view images. Different image intensity between an outer ring and an inner ring in double-wall nanotubes suggests that the inner layers of multiwall nanotubes are formed after the outer ones.     

碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料研究

将碳纳米管加入到环氧树脂中，经超声分散处理制得复合材料。研究了碳纳米管的加入量与分散程度对材料抗拉强度的影响。研究表明：碳纳米管的加入量小于3％时可有效提高复合材料的抗拉强度，加入量为1．7％，抗拉强度达到最高值52．38MPa，比纯环氧树脂(26．40MPa)提高98．4％。     

碳纳米管压阻微悬臂梁红外热探测器的研究

研究了压阻复合层微机械悬臂梁红外探测器的热挠曲理论模型。利用IC工艺和微机械加工技术设计制作了一种硅/铝/碳纳米管三层微机械悬臂梁红外探测器,该探测器基于硅和铝两种材料热膨胀系数的差异,存在双物质效应,不同温度下梁的挠度不同,其形变可通过梁根部的压敏电桥检测。为提高探测器的红外吸收特性,实验探索出了在微机械悬臂梁上涂敷碳纳米管吸热层的工艺方法。实验研究了具有碳纳米管薄膜吸热层的三层微机械悬臂梁红外热探测器对红外辐射的响应规律,结果表明涂敷碳纳米管吸热层使响应灵敏度提高近一倍。     

分散剂对电泳沉积制备碳纳米管薄膜形貌和场发射性能的影响

采用丙酮、异丙醇、丙酮/无水乙醇混合溶液3种不同的分散剂,利用电泳沉积法在硅基底上制备了碳纳米管(CNTs)薄膜;采用超景深光学显微镜和电子显微镜观察了不同薄膜的表面形貌,并在高真空中对碳纳米管薄膜阴极进行了场发射特性测试。结果表明:以异丙醇作分散剂制备的CNTs薄膜表面均匀连续,场发射性能较好,开启电场和阈值电场分别为0.188V.μm-1和2.8V.μm-1。     

Damages of screen-printed carbon nanotube cold cathode during the field emission process

The field emission properties of the screen-printed carbon nanotube (CNT) composite cathode have close relationship with its microstructure. In this study, carbon nanotube composite cold cathode with ZnO nano-particles as binding material was prepared using screen-printing method. Electric field cycles were used to post-treat the carbon nanotube composite cold cathode. During the process of electric field cycle treatment, obvious heat-induced damages were observed from the cathode. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were employed to analyze the morphology and microstructure of the cathode. The possible mechanisms responsible for damages were discussed.     

多壁碳纳米管在不同表面功能基团自组装膜上的沉积

制备了表面功能基团为氨基和甲基的自组装膜,将不同表面功能基团自组装膜浸入多壁碳纳米管分散液中沉积,实验观察到,表面为氨基的APTES自组装膜对分散液中的碳纳米管有静电吸附作用而均匀吸附一层碳纳米管,表面为甲基的OTS自组装膜对分散液碳纳米管有排斥作用力而没有吸附碳纳米管,这一实验对利用单根碳纳米管构造纳米电子器件与纳米机械具有重要意义。     

Effect of carbon nanotube addition on the tribological behavior of carbon/carbon composites

Carbon nanotube composite coatings were applied onto carbon/carbon composites to improve wear properties. Carbon nanotubes have been prepared by catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. The nanotube slurry was prepared by addition of phenolic resin and solvent to infiltrate into C/C composites. The nanotube added composites were then carbonized in a nitrogen atmosphere. Ball-on-disc type wear tests were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the carbon nanotube added carbon composites. The result showed that addition of nanotube has the potential to increase the wear resistance of carbon composites. Changes in Raman spectra, morphology and surface damage were studied to explain observed wear behavior.     

Electron irradiation-induced destruction of carbon nanotubes in electron microscopes

Observations of carbon nanotubes under exposure to electron beam irradiation in standard transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) systems show that such treatment in some cases can cause severe damage of the nanotube structure, even at electron energies far below the approximate 100 keV threshold for knock-on damage displacing carbon atoms in the graphene structure. We find that the damage we observe in one TEM can be avoided by use of a cold finger. This and the morphology of the damage imply that water vapour, which is present as a background gas in many vacuum chambers, can damage the nanotube structure through electron beam-induced chemical reactions. Though, the dependence on the background gas makes these observations specific for the presently used systems, the results demonstrate the importance of careful assessment of the level of subtle structural damage that the individual electron microscope system can do to nanostructures during standard use.     

Structure of carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites

The structure of nanocomposites fabricated using carbon nanotube templates using transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy will be described here. Examples for filled, network substituted and uniformly coated nanotubes will be described. The novelty of such nanocomposite structures and their possible role in future technology will be discussed.     

In situ measurements and transmission electron microscopy of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

We present the design and operation of a transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-compatible carbon nanotube (CNT) field-effect transistor (FET). The device is configured with microfabricated slits, which allows direct observation of CNTs in a FET using TEM and measurement of electrical transport while inside the TEM. As demonstrations of the device architecture, two examples are presented. The first example is an in situ electrical transport measurement of a bundle of carbon nanotubes. The second example is a study of electron beam radiation effect on CNT bundles using a 200 keV electron beam. In situ electrical transport measurement during the beam irradiation shows a signature of wall- or tube-breakdown. Stepwise current drops were observed when a high intensity electron beam was used to cut individual CNT bundles in a device with multiple bundles.