The field emission properties of carbon nanotubes and SiC whiskers synthesized over Ni particles deposited in ion tracks in SiO2

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and SiC whiskers are synthesized by the pyrolysis of acetonitrile vapor over Ni nanoparticles deposited in the pores obtained by etching heavy ion tracks in dielectric SiO2 layers on single crystal silicon substrates. The structures obtained are studied by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and their field emission characteristics are measured. The formation of CNTs or SiC whiskers as a result of catalytic hydrocarbon pyrolysis is found to depend on the occupation of ion tracks by nickel clusters. It is shown that the threshold of electron emission appearance is 1 V/µm for both types of the samples and that differences in the shape of current-voltage characteristics are explained by differences in the electronic structure of CNTs and SiC whiskers.