Field emission properties of amorphous carbon nanodot arrays in a novel anodic aluminum oxide template by self-assembly technique

Abstract

Amorphous carbon nanodot arrays were successfully prepared through filtered cathodic arc plasma (FCAP) technique, and via a special widen process, the negative effect of the anion impurities distributed in the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template was avoided during carbon ions deposition. The morphology of the samples was studied by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The AAO template prepared by multi-steps combining anodization process and pore-widening process has special pore openings. The nanodot arrays are uniformly distributed and in good agreement with the AAO pore arrays. The diameter of the as-prepared nanodot is about 100 nm, and the density was estimated to be 1010 cm-2. Field emission properties of the nanodot arrays were investigated and a low threshold field of 37 V/mm at 10 mA/cm2 was obtained.