Improved field emission properties of carbon nanotubes by dual layer deposition

Abstract

In this paper, we tried to increase the current density of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by depositing double layer of CNTs instead of single layer. Both the layers of CNTs are deposited by the low pressure chemical vapour deposition technique on silicon substrate with Fe catalyst. Scanning electron microscopic images show the surface morphology of single and double layer of CNTs. Dual layer deposition of CNTs is a very simple and easy method to increase the current density of CNTs based field emitters than other conventional methods. Excellent field emission properties of double layer of CNTs are exhibited with large field enhancement factor and low turn-on voltage as compared to those for single layer of CNTs. High current density of CNTs is required for field-emission-based display devices associated with field enhancement factor and number of emitting electrons. Therefore, we may say that dual layer deposition of CNTs can be utilised as an alternative approach to improve the current density for field emitters. Stability measurement of the samples was also performed for 3 h (180 min) with current at constant applied voltage, and it was found that the stability of dual layer of CNTs is remarkable than that of single layer of CNTs.