Synthesis and Characterization of MWCNTs/ZnO Nanocomposites for Device Applications

Abstract

The nanocomposite was created in order to investigate field emission (FE) applications. A MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposite, by combining ZnO thin films with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), was synthesized by the use of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques for FE applications. The thin films were then prepared by dip-coating and drop-casting onto a silicon substrate. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman spectroscopy and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the MWCNTs and MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposite separately and compare the results. From Raman spectra, the calculated values of ID/IG are, respectively, 0.521 and 0.950, which confirm the certain defects and disorders produced after coating of ZnO nanoparticles on the MWCNTs’ surface. From the current density–electric field plot, it is found that the FE properties increased by three times which indicates that MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposite can be useful for ideal cathode emitters.