Enhanced field emission from H2 plasma-treated alpha-Fe2O3 nanowires

Hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanowires were synthesized by the thermal oxidation of Fe-Ni alloy grids at 900 degrees C. The effects of hydrogen (H2) plasmas on the morphology and field emission properties of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanowires were investigated. Many nanocrystallites with sharp tips were found to be produced on the surface of the originally smooth nanowires after H2 plasmas treatment. Field emission measurements demonstrated that the treated alpha-Fe2O3 nanowires possessed much better performance with turn-on field of approximately 3.7 V/microm at 0.1 microA/cm2 of current density, compared with the as-grown samples.