Field emission characteristics study for ZnO–CNTs composites by the microwave plasma jet chemical vapor deposition system

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 111; pp. 140 - 142
• Main Authors: Su, Chun-Hsi, Huang, Chia-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.11.2013
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Ceramics; Chemical vapor deposition; Composite materials; Field emission; Microwave plasma; nanorods; nanowires; silicon; vapors; zinc oxide; Microwave plasma; Carbon nanotubes; Field emission; Composite materials; Ceramics; Chemical vapor deposition
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2013.07.130

The field emission (FE) properties of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on zinc oxide (ZnO) films have been reported in the present study. The ZnO films were first spun on a Si substrate by a spin coater, and then the grown CNTs were grown on the surface of the ZnO films by the microwave plasma jet chemical vapor deposition (MPJCVD) system. The experimental results showed that ZnO–CNT composite exhibited superior FE performance compared to that of CNTs and ZnO nanowires. The turn-on field of an emission device constructed with the ZnO–CNT composite was 0.31Vμm−1, which was lower than that of the common CNTs and ZnO nanowires/nanorods. As the results of field emission tests, the CNTs on ZnO films could be a useful material in the emission applications. Emission current density versus electric field. [Display omitted] •This is the first report of CNT grown on ZnO films.•The CNT grown on ZnO films was loaded into a MPJCVD chamber, resulting in the formation of ZnO–CNT composites.•The ZnO–CNT array exhibit a lower turn-on electric field and a higher emission current density than that of the CNT and ZnO(1100°C)–CNT.•The turn-on field of an emission device with the ZnO–CNT composites was 0.31Vμm−1.