Rehybridization of the atomic orbitals and the field electron emission from nanostructured carbon

The field electron emission, structural features, and electronic properties of carbon films obtained by chemical vapor deposition were experimentally studied. It is shown that the field electron emission from the films composed of spatially oriented carbon nanotubes and platelike graphite nanocrystals is observed for the electric field strength lower by one to two orders of magnitude as compared to the values characteristic of the metal emitters. Experimental data reported for the first time are indicative of a local decrease in the electron work function in such carbon film materials as compared to that in graphite. A model of the emission center is proposed and a mechanism of the field electron emission from nanostructured carbon is described.