Simple method to rapidly fabricate chain-like carbon nanotube films and its field emission properties

• Published in: International journal of minerals, metallurgy and materials metallurgy and materials, 2010-06, Vol.17 (3), p.371-375
• Main Authors: Wu, Zhi-yuan, Hu, Shuang-qi, Wang, Zhi-qian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alumina-Titanium; Aluminum oxide; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Ceramics; Chains; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cold cathodes; Composites; Corrosion and Coatings; Current density; Deposition; Electric fields; Electrode materials; Electron emission; Electron microscopy; Emissions; Field emission; Glass; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Microwave plasmas; Nanostructure; Natural Materials; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition; Raman spectroscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicon dioxide; Substrates; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Ti/Al2O3; Tribology; 场发射性能; 快速制作; 扫描电子显微镜; 碳纳米管薄膜; 等离子体增强化学气相沉积; 透射电子显微镜
• ISSN: 1674-4799; 1869-103X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12613-010-0320-x

A simple process to fabricate chain-like carbon nanotube （CNT） films by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition （MPCVD） was developed successfully. Prior to deposition, the Ti/Al2O3 substrates were ground with Fe-doped SiO2 powder. The nano-structure of the deposited films was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and Raman spectroscopy. The field electron emission characteristics of the chain-like carbon nanotube films were measured under the vacuum of 10-5 Pa. The low turn-on field of 0.80 V/μm and the emission current density of 8.5 mA/cm2 at the electric field of 3.0 V/μm are obtained. Based on the above results, chain-like carbon nanotube films probably have important applications in cold cathode materials and electrode materials.