Field emission properties of short crystalline carbon nanotubes cut by sonication on substrate

Abstract

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates were fabricated by anodizing Al sheets. After the Co catalyst had been electrochemically deposited into the bottom of the AAO template, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown by the catalytic pyrolysis Of C2H2 at 650degreesC. Short and crystalline CNT field emitters were prepared by cutting the overgrown CNTs on the AAO template via sonication method. The electron field emission measurements on the samples showed a turn-on field of 2.84V/mum and a field enhancement factor of 2580. We expect these CNT emitters could be applied to an integrated triode structure for cold cathodes.