Design of new process for stabilization of LaxGd1-xB6 nanorods and their Field Emission properties

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. B, Solid-state materials for advanced technology Solid-state materials for advanced technology, 2022-08, Vol.282, p.115759, Article 115759
• Main Authors: Yadav, Krishna K., Kumar, Gulshan, Ankush, Ghosh, S., Jha, Menaka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Argon; Borothermic reactions; Emission analysis; Field Emission; Lanthanum doped gadolinium hexaborides; Low turn-on; Nanorods; Rare earth elements; Silicon substrates; Spin coating; Synthesis; Ultrafines; Work functions
• ISSN: 0921-5107; 1873-4944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2022.115759

[Display omitted] •A chemical route has been adopted for the synthesis of LaxGd1-xB6.•Low temperature synthesis of anisotropic LaxGd1-xB6 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) has been done.•La0.5Gd0.4B6 shows the highest current (∼8.5 μA/cm2) with the highest enhancement factor (1568). Among all the rare earth metal hexaboride, GdB6 shows the lowest work function of 1.5 eV, which makes GdB6 a promising field emitting material. In the present work, synthesis of LaxGd1-xB6 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) was attempted via borothermal reaction of LaxGd1-x(OH)3 nanorods and sodium borohydride at 1000 °C. The synthesis of ultrafine nanorods of LaxGd1-x(OH)3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) has been attempted via the hydrothermal route. The LaxGd1-x(OH)3 is annealed with NaBH4 in presence of argon, which leads to the formation of LaxGd1-xB6. TEM study of LaxGd1-xB6 indicates the nanorods formation of diameter 30–40 nm and length 130 nm. Further, as-synthesised LaxGd1-xB6 sample has been spin-coated over the silicon substrate and deposited LaxGd1-xB6 film was used for the field emission study. The field emission study shows the lowest turn-on field for LaxGd1-xB6 (x = 0.5) which is 5.01 V/μm with the highest field enhancement factor (β = 1568).