Field emission characteristics of MWCNT- bimetal (Cu and In) hybrids: Correlation with morphology, microstructure and electronic structure

Abstract

In the current study, vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and bi-metal (Cu and In) decorated CNTs were synthesized over Si substrates using Thermal Chemical Vapour Deposition technique and the thermal evaporation method. Different characterization techniques studied the surface morphology, structural properties, and elemental composition of the prepared samples. Field emission measurements were executed on the as-prepared samples. In-Cu-MWCNTs exhibit an enhanced current density of 7.46 mA/cm2 as compared to 2.83 mA/cm2 of pristine CNTs. A meticulous study of the electronic structure along with the basic field emission parameters reveals that the graphitic content of carbon (C) as well as the density of state and electronic structure variation are responsible for the improved field emission properties of the CNT-bimetal hybrids. The study opens a new area of research in CNT-bi-metal decorated hybrids for various field emission applications.