Field emission properties of indium-decorated vertically aligned carbon nanotubes: an interplay between type of hybridization, density of states and metal thickness

Abstract

Field emission (FE) properties of indium-decorated vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films are investigated. The superior FE properties are achieved for 4-nm-thick indium-coated MWCNTs as compared to those coated with higher thicknesses of indium and pristine CNTs. Optimization in the FE properties is primarily attributed to transformation of sp2- to sp3-hybridized carbons and indium thickness. Other factors important for the better FE properties are enhanced density of states near the Fermi level and slightly improved field enhancement factor at relatively low applied electric fields.