Field Emission Characteristics of Polyaniline/Se Nanocomposites

Polyaniline (PAni)/Se nanocomposites have been synthesized in different compositions employing chemical route and shown excellent field emission behaviour. Detailed studies on the field emission for all composites with different concentrations of dopant are performed in an indigenously fabricated set up in a vacuum chamber with a base pressure of 10(-6) Torr at room temperature and analysed with current density versus Electric field (J-E) and Fowler-Nordheim (FN) plots. Comparative field emission results showed that 10% (w/w) doped PAni/Se nanocomposite depicts highest emission characteristics, current density and field enhancement factor with turn-on field as low as 1.2 V/µm in comparison with other composites, while pure PAni shows no field emission characteristics. These composites have also been characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). FTIR results supply the evidence for the occurrence of the polymer in its conducting state. The ease of synthesis route and interesting field emission properties recommend these composites as a promising material for field emission based applications in vacuum micro-nanoelectronic devices and also for plastic display industry.