Electron field emission from single-walled carbon nanotube nonwoven

Field emission from single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nonwoven has been investigated under high vacuum with different vacuum gaps. A low turn-on electric field of 1.05\,V/$\mu $m is required to reach an emission current density of 10 $\mu $A/cm$^{2}$. An emission current density of 10 mA/cm$^{2}$ is obtained at an operating electric field of 1.88\,V/$\mu $m. No current saturation is found even at an emission current of 5\,mA. With the vacuum gap increasing from 1 to 10 mm, the turn-on field decreases monotonically from 1.21 to 0.68\,V/$\mu $m, while the field amplification is augmented. The good field-emission behaviour is ascribed to the combined effects of the intrinsic field emission of SWNT and the waved topography of the nonwoven.     

Electron field emission properties of closed carbon nanotubes

Recent experiments have shown that carbon nanotubes exhibit excellent electron field emisson properties with high current densities at low electric fields. Here we present theoretical investigations that incorporate geometrical effects and the electronic structure of nanotubes. The electric field is dramatically enhanced near the cap of a nanotube with a large variation of local field distribution. It is found that deviation from linear Fowler-Nordheim behavior occurs due to the variation of the local field in the electron tunneling region. The maximum current per tube is of the order of 10 microA. Local and microscopic aspects of field emission from nanotubes are also presented.     

Water vapor-induced structure modification of vertically-aligned carbon nanotube arrays and successive thin film coating for enhanced field emission properties

Vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes (VCNTs) are used as electron source in various field emission applications owing to its high aspect ratio, chemical inertness, mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. Here, we demonstrate that surface structure modification along with thin film coating enhances the field emission performance, such as turn-on voltage, emission site density, and stability. In the present study, VCNTs with different heights were grown on silicon wafers by thermal chemical vapor deposition followed by the structure modification of VCNTs using capillarity-driven water vapor condensation. We obtained various surface morphologies by varying the water vapor exposure time and heating temperature. In addition, the structure-modified VCNTs surfaces were coated with W and SiO₂ thin films using electron-beam evaporation. It was observed that W-coated VCNTs with modified surface morphology results in the best field emission performance.     

Fabrication of carbon nanotube bundles and measurement of field electron emission properties

Carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles are synthesized on rough polycrystalline ceramic wafers by pyrolyzing ferrocene/melamine mixtures through a three-step process in a single stage furnace in an Ar atmosphere. The CNTs are multi-walled and have outer diameters from 10 to 90 nm and lengths from 20 to 100 microns. These CNTs display a bamboo-like structure with open graphite layers and defects at the outer surfaces. Field electron emission (FEE) measurements show that the turn-on electrical field is 2.9 V/m and the field enhancement factor is 2700. PACS 61.46.+w; 82.30.Lp; 79.70.+q     

Electron emission from arrays of carbon nanotubes/fibres

The overall aim of this work is to produce arrays of field emitting microguns, based on carbon nanotubes, which can be utilised in the manufacture of large area field emitting displays, parallel e-beam lithography systems and electron sources for high frequency amplifiers. This paper will describe the work carried out to produce patterned arrays of aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a dc plasma technique and a Ni catalyst. We will discuss how the density of the carbon nanotube/fibres can be varied by reducing the deposition yield through nickel interaction with a diffusion layer or by direct lithographic patterning of the Ni catalyst to precisely define the position of each nanotube/fibre. Details of the field emission behaviour of the different arrays of MWCNTS will also be presented.     

Electronic properties and field emission of carbon nanotube films treated by hydrogen plasma

Large-scale and very even multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) films have been obtained at room temperature by an electrophoresis deposition technique. The characterization, by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy, shows that the MWNTs with hydrogen-plasma (HP) treatment are covered by onion-like nanolumps, and three-dimensional multiple-way-connected nanotube webs are formed. The electronic property of the treated MWNT film is converted from semiconducting to metallic. The field-emission test indicates that the HP-treated MWNT film has a low threshold of 1.1 V/m (at 0.1 A/cm²), a high emission light spot density of about 10⁵ cm^-2, and a stable and suitable emission current. The conversion mechanism of the treated carbon nanotube structure and the reason for the change of the electronic and field-emission characteristics of the MWNT films are discussed. PACS 81.07.De; 82.33.Xj; 85.45.Db     

Fabrication and field emission properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/silicon nanowire array

Silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated on silicon wafers by the metal-assisted chemical etching method. Varied average diameters of SiNW arrays were realized through further treatment in a mixed agent of HF and HNO₃ of certain concentrations. After the treatment, there were more than 93% SiNWs with diameters smaller than 100 nm. The tip of each SiNW was subsequently wrapped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with chemical vapor deposition method. The as-fabricated MWCNT/SiNW arrays were fabricated into electric field emitters, with turn-on field of 2.0 V/μm (current density: 10 μA/cm²), much lower than that of SiNW array (5.0 V/μm). The turn-on electric field of MWCNT/SiNW array decreased with the decreasing of the average diameter of SiNWs, indicating the performance of the field emission is relative to the morphology of SiNWs. As the SiNW array is uniform in height and easy to fabricate, the MWCNT/SiNW array shows potential applications in flat electric display.     

Electron field emission properties of conducting polymer coated multi walled carbon nanotubes

The present work describes the field emission characteristics of conducting polymer coated multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) field emitters fabricated over flexible graphitized carbon cloth. Nanocomposites involving the combination of MWNTs and conducting polymers polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) have been prepared by in-situ polymerization method and have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Using spin coating method, field emitters based on PANI/MWNTs and PPy/MWNTs over flexible graphitized carbon cloth have been prepared. The field emission characteristics have been studied using an indigenously fabricated set up in a vacuum chamber with a base pressure of 2 × 10⁻⁵ Pa and the results are discussed. Our results display that the field emission performance of the emitters depends strongly on the work function of the emitting material. Low turn on emission field of 2.12 V/μm at 10 μA/cm² and high emission current density of 1 mA/cm² at 3.04 V/μm have been observed for PANI/MWNTs field emitter.     

Synthesis and field emission of diamond-like carbon nanorods on TiO2/Ti nanotube arrays

Highly ordered TiO₂/Ti nanotube arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation method in 0.5 wt% HF. Using prepared TiO₂/Ti nanotube arrays deposited Ni nanoparticles as substrate, high quality diamond-like carbon nanorods (DLCNRs) were synthesized by a conventional method of chemical vapor deposition at 750 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. DLCNRs were analyzed by filed emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrometer. It is very interesting that DLCNRs possess pagoda shape with the length of 3–10 μm. Raman spectra show two strong peaks about 1332 cm⁻¹ and 1598 cm⁻¹, indicating the formation of diamond-like carbon. The field emission measurements suggest that DLCNRs/TiO₂/Ti has excellent field emission properties, a low turn-on field about 3.0 V/μm, no evident decay at 3.4 mA/cm² in 480 min.     

界面势垒对碳纳米管场发射特性的影响

以界面势垒对碳纳米管(CNT)场发射的影响为研究目的,在硅衬底上引进很薄的二氧化硅层,以二氧化硅层作为绝缘势垒,然后在二氧化硅界面层上直接生长CNT,来研究二氧化硅绝缘势垒层对CNT场发射的影响。场发射结果为：Fowler-Nordheim(F-N)曲线分为两部分,高电场下偏离F-N曲线并趋于饱和。在双势垒模型的基础上,从电场在两势垒上的分布不同及电子在两势垒上的隧穿几率不同,理论上分析了界面势垒对场发射的影响：低电场下电子在界面势垒的隧穿几率大于在表面势垒的隧穿几率,界面势垒对场发射不起阻碍作用,场发射遵守F-N规律;高电场下电子在界面势垒的隧穿几率小于在表面势垒的隧穿几率,场发射偏离F-N规律。理论对实验结果进行了合理的解释。     

接触电阻对碳纳米管场发射的影响

基于改进的悬浮球模型,计算了碳纳米管和衬底间的接触电阻存在时碳纳米管顶端的局域电场, 并结合Fowler-Nordheim (F-N)场发射规律研究了接触电阻对碳纳米管场发射的影响.研究表明,接触电阻的存在,在高电场区域接触电阻抑制了碳纳米管的电子场发射,导致在高电场区域出现电流饱和及FN直线偏折现象.其原因可归结为接触电阻使得在碳纳米管顶端的局域电场相对于没有接触电阻时相对地减少. 关键词： 碳纳米管 场发射 接触电阻 电流饱和     

界面势垒对碳纳米管场发射特性的影响

以界面势垒对碳纳米管(CNT)场发射的影响为研究目的,在硅衬底上引进很薄的二氧化硅层,以二氧化硅层作为绝缘势垒,然后在二氧化硅界面层上直接生长CNT,来研究二氧化硅绝缘势垒层对CNT场发射的影响。场发射结果为:Fowler-Nordheim(F-N)曲线分为两部分,高电场下偏离F-N曲线并趋于饱和。在双势垒模型的基础上,从电场在两势垒上的分布不同及电子在两势垒上的隧穿几率不同,理论上分析了界面势垒对场发射的影响:低电场下电子在界面势垒的隧穿几率大于在表面势垒的隧穿几率,界面势垒对场发射不起阻碍作用,场发射遵守F-N规律;高电场下电子在界面势垒的隧穿几率小于在表面势垒的隧穿几率,场发射偏离F-N规律。理论对实验结果进行了合理的解释。     

A thin film triode type carbon nanotube field emission cathode

The field electron emission of carbon nanotubes has been heavily studied over the past two decades for various applications, such as in display technologies, microwave amplifiers, and spacecraft propulsion. However, a commercializable lightweight and internally gated electron source has yet to be realized. This work presents the fabrication and testing of a novel internally gated carbon nanotube field electron emitter. Several specific methods are used to prevent electrical shorting of the gate layer, a common failure for internally gated devices. A unique design is explored where the etch pits extend into the silicon substrate and isotropic etching is used to create a lateral buffer zone between the gate and carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are self-aligned to and within 10 microns from the gate, which creates large electric fields at low potential inputs. Initial tests confirm high field emission performance with an anode current density (based on total area of the device) of 293 μA?cm^?2 and a gate current density of 1.68 mA?cm^?2 at 250 V.     

碳纳米管冷阴极场致发射中栅网特性

利用三维粒子模拟软件对大面积生长无序碳纳米管冷阴级三级结构发射特性进行仿真,对六边形、三角形和正方形3种不同网孔结构栅网下的碳纳米管冷阴极场致发射特性进行研究。通过计算冷阴极表面电场分布及场致发射电子注的通过率,得到不同图形发射效率随网孔尺寸变化的规律。进一步横向对比,得出栅网最佳图形为六边形的结论,其最大电子注通过率为75%。     

阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度

采用化学气相沉积法制备了阵列碳纳米管薄膜,对阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度进行了系统研究。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、拉曼光谱(Raman)对样品形貌以及结构进行了表征。探讨了不同实验参数对阵列碳纳米管石墨化程度影响的机理。结果发现,在一定催化剂浓度范围内,催化剂浓度过低时,阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度较差,而随着催化剂浓度的增加,阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度逐渐变好;生长石墨化程度较好的阵列碳纳米管需要合适的进液速度,进液速度过低或过高都会使得碳纳米管的石墨化程度变差;此外,生长石墨化程度较好的阵列碳纳米管也需要合适的生长温度,生长温度过低或过高都会使得碳纳米管的石墨化程度变差。     

阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度

采用化学气相沉积法制备了阵列碳纳米管薄膜,对阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度进行了系统研究。利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、拉曼光谱(Raman)对样品形貌以及结构进行了表征。探讨了不同实验参数对阵列碳纳米管石墨化程度影响的机理。结果发现,在一定催化剂浓度范围内,催化剂浓度过低时,阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度较差,而随着催化剂浓度的增加,阵列碳纳米管的石墨化程度逐渐变好;生长石墨化程度较好的阵列碳纳米管需要合适的进液速度,进液速度过低或过高都会使得碳纳米管的石墨化程度变差;此外,生长石墨化程度较好的阵列碳纳米管也需要合适的生长温度,生长温度过低或过高都会使得碳纳米管的石墨化程度变差。