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Enhanced field electron emission properties of hierarchically structured MWCNT-based cold cathodes
Loïck-Alexandre Gautier, Vincent Le Borgne, Samir Al Moussalami
1Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650 Blvd, Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Quebec J3X-1S2, Canada. elkhakani@emt.inrs.ca.
Nanoscale Research Letters
|February 4, 2014
Summary
Hierarchically structured carbon nanotube cathodes were fabricated using silicon pyramid texturing and PECVD growth. This method significantly improved field electron emission properties, lowering the threshold field and enhancing current density.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Cold cathodes are essential for various electronic devices.
- Field electron emission (FEE) performance is critical for cold cathode efficiency.
- Controlling nanostructure morphology can optimize FEE properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop hierarchically structured multi-walled carbon nanotube (h-MWCNT) cold cathodes.
- To investigate the effect of silicon pyramid aspect ratio on FEE properties.
- To enhance the field electron emission performance of MWCNT cathodes.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of h-MWCNT cathodes via KOH-based pyramidal texturing of Si (100) substrates.
- Growth of vertically aligned MWCNTs using Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD).
- Tuning of field electron emission properties by controlling the aspect ratio (AR) of Si pyramids.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant reduction in threshold field (TF) from 3.52 V/μm to 1.95 V/μm with increasing AR.
- Observed exponential increase in emitted current density with increasing AR.
- Enhanced field enhancement factors (βLF and βHF) by 1.7 and 2.2 times, respectively.
- Attained a high βHF of 6,980 at AR = 0.6.
Conclusions:
- Hierarchical structuring of MWCNT cathodes by pyramidal texturing effectively enhances field electron emission.
- Controlling the aspect ratio of Si pyramids is a key parameter for tuning FEE performance.
- Pyramidal texturing likely enhances FEE through favorable vacuum space charge effects, especially in the high-field regime.
