Improved field emission properties of Au nanoparticles and CNTs decorated SnO2 nanowire arrays on carbon fibers

Abstract

We have developed a simple and effective method to improve field emission (FE) performance of SnO2 nanowire arrays (SnO2 NWs) decorated with low-cost CNTs and conducting Au nanoparticles. SnO2 NWs was grown on carbon fibers (CF) using Au-assisted vapor liquid solid method. CNT and Au nanoparticle decoration of SnO2 NWs was obtained by subsequent decoration via spray-coating and sputtering deposition process. Compared with the as-prepared SnO2 and CNT/SnO2, Au/CNT/SnO2 composite emitters have exhibited predominant FE characteristics with low turn-on field (0.72 V/μm), high field enhancement factor (~5726), and good stability. The FE enhancement was attributed to highly conducted Au nanoparticles and CNTs with sharp tips densely distributed on the surface of SnO2 NWs, which can effectively increase emission site density, favor electron transfer and quickly transmit heat from the emitters to substrate. Our results revealed that Au/CNT/SnO2 composite with excellent FE performance grown on CF can provide the possibility of application in flexible flat panel displays.