Enhanced field emission stability and density produced by conical bundles of catalyst-free carbon nanotubes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-11-2009

Department

Department of Physics

Abstract

Self-assembled bundling and catalyst removal can enhance the field emission stability and density of vertically-aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs). These catalyst-free, opened tip, VA-MWCNTs offered better emission stability than the as grown samples. Both the emission stability and density were further enhanced as the opened-tip MWCNTs self-assembled into arrays of conical bundles. Theoretical simulation suggests that higher emission density was due to the reduced screening effects. The simulated local fields at the tips of the bundles suggest for a two-order of magnitude lower electric field loading on MWCNTs and contribute to prolong emission stability needed for practical applications.

Publisher's Statement

Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Publisher's version of record: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2009.09.031

Publication Title

Carbon

Share

COinS