Field Emission Properties of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Silicon Nanoporous Pillar Array

"Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on a silicon nanoporous pillar array (Si-NPA) by thermal chemical vapor deposition. Surface morphologies and microstructure of the resultant were studied by a field emission scanning electron microscope, Raman spectrum, transmission electron microscope, and highresolution transmission electron microscopy. The composition of samples was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that a great deal of CNTs, with diameter in the range of 20-70 nm, incorporated with Si-NPA and a large scale nest array of CNTs/Si-NPA (NACNT/Si-NPA) was formed. EDS analysis showed that the composition of carbon nanotubes was carbon. Field emission measurements showed that a current density of 5 mA/cm2 was obtained at an electric field of 4.26 V/1m, with a turn-on field of 1.3 V/1m. The enhancement factor calculated according to the Fowler-Nordheim theory was ?11,000. This excellent field emission performance is attributed to the unique structure and morphology of NACNT/Si-NPA, especially the formation of a nest-shaped carbon nanotube array. A schematic drawing that illustrates the experimental configuration is given. These results indicate that NACNT/Si-NPA might be an ideal candidate cathode for potential applications in flat panel displays."