(1) Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Haengdang-dong 17, Seoul, 133-791, Korea;(2) Division of Nanosciences and Department of Chemistry, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Korea
Abstract:
We investigated field emission (FE) properties of imogolite including the turn-on field and lifetime stability. Imogolite
is an excellent electron emitter with a turn-on field of approximately 2.5–3.5 V/μm. A lifetime test revealed that imogolite
protects itself during FE under exposure to O2 gas. We also measured the current–voltage characteristics of the imogolite as a function of the amount of water adsorbed
on the surface. The results suggested that the electrode-containing imogolite device could be a useful water sensor in a nanoscale
environment.