FIELD EMISSION FROM CARBON NANOTUBES PRODUCED USING MICROWAVE PLASMA ASSISTED CVD

Abstract

Electron field emission from carbon nanotubes prepared using microwave plasma assisted CVD has been investigated. The nanotubes, ranging from 50 to 120 nm in diameter and a few tens of microns in length, were formed under methane and hydrogen plasma at 720°C with the aid of iron-oxide particles. The morphology and growth direction of the nanotubes are found to be strongly influenced by the flow ratio of methane to hydrogen. However, the electron field emission from these massive mantubes show similar characteristics, i.e., high emission current at low electric fields.