In situ TEM observation of Fe-included carbon nanofiber: evolution of structural and electrical properties in field emission process

In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of single Fe-included carbon nanofibers (CNFs) revealed that the fine polycrystalline structure in the shank region of CNFs transformed to graphitic, hollow structures during a field emission (FE) process. The iron metal platelets agglomerated during the FE process and perceptibly were emitted from the shank, which featured bamboo-like carbon nanotube (CNT) structures. The structural evolution also improved the electrical properties, and the FE current was remarkably increased, that is, 1000 times higher than the initial value (from 10(-9) to 10(-6) A). The structural transformations were effectuated by Joule heating that generated simultaneously during the FE process. The in situ TEM study of room-temperature-synthesized CNFs could provide essential information regarding CNFs' structural transformation for their possible application in future electron emitter sources.