Effects of high-energy ball milling on the morphology and the field emission property of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The effects of grinding time in a vibration mill on the morphology and the field emission property of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were studied using XRD, Raman spectra and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results show that the closed ends of MWNTs are partly broken when ground for 4 h. The number of broken ends increases with grinding time. The field emission measurement results indicate that the presence of Fe particles can improve the field emission property of ground MWNTs.