Time-dependent resonating plasma treatment of carbon nanotubes for enhancing the electron field emission properties

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2022, Vol.33 (3), p.1211-1227
• Main Authors: Raza, Mohammad Moeen Hasan, Aalam, Shah Masheerul, Sadiq, Mohd, Sarvar, Mohd, Zulfequar, Mohammad, Husain, Samina, Ali, Javid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Carbon nanotubes; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical vapor deposition; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cyclotron resonance; Defects; Edge effect; Electric fields; Electron cyclotron resonance; Emission analysis; Emitters; Emitters (electron); Field emission microscopy; Materials Science; Morphology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Plasma; Raman spectroscopy; Reduction; Structural stability; Time dependence
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-021-07413-0

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes having the advanced atomic configuration, structural properties, and electronic conductivity, which makes the CNTs as an eminent candidate for the electron field emission. In the present work, we have altered the morphology of the vertically aligned - CNT field emitters for improving the electron field emission parameters and temporal stability. The structural tuning and alteration of CNT field emitters was performed in the electron cyclotron resonance based chemical vapor deposition system via generating a dense resonating plasma of NH 3 gas. The as-synthesized pristine and resonating plasma treated VA-CNT field emitters were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope for study the morphology, and Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of quality and structural defects. The horn type protrusions were formed after resonating plasma treatment. The electron field emission properties were drastically influenced by the time-based resonating plasma treatment. In terms of the reduction in the turn-on E to and threshold E th electric fields, improvement in the emission current density J , increment in the conventional characteristics field enhancement factor γ , and excellent temporal emission stability due to the incorporation of nitrogen species in the graphitic sheet of nanotubes, reduction in the screening effect, edge effect enhanced, and formation of defects in the graphitic sheet of VA-CNT. The calculated scaled barrier field values belong in the acceptable range and hence, orthodox emission hypothesis test qualified.