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Iron oxide-coated MWCNTs nanohybrid field emitters: a potential cold cathode for next-generation electron sources

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Abstract

In this paper, we have reported that the field emission properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were significantly increased by decorating their surface by iron oxide nanoparticles. MWCNTs were prepared on silicon substrate through low-pressure chemical vapour deposition using acetylene as source gas. The iron oxide nanoparticles were grown on the surface of MWCNTs by thermal evaporation technique. Modified surface morphologies of the prepared films were characterized through field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. A significant change in current density, stability and turn-on voltage has been observed in iron oxide-coated MWCNT films. Decoration of iron oxide nanoparticles reduces turn-on voltage from 4 to 3.4 V/μm, while current density increases from 10.15 to 33.26 mA/cm2. For practical MWCNT-based field emission devices, it is necessary to improve the emission current density and stability. The excellent field emission parameters are obtained and calculated which make them useful for high-performance field emission-based devices. The mechanism of emission of electrons is well described by the Fowler Nordheim theory.

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Acknowledgements

The authors Shabeena Saifi and Dr.Shama Parveen are thankful to CSIR for providing funds in the form of JRF and Research Associate, respectively. The authors are also thankful to Jamia Millia Islamia for providing necessary research facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Shabeena Saifi, Shama Parveen, Sunny Khan, Javid Ali, M. Husain & M. Zulfequar

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  1. Shabeena Saifi
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  2. Shama Parveen
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  3. Sunny Khan
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  4. Javid Ali
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Correspondence to M. Zulfequar.

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Saifi, S., Parveen, S., Khan, S. et al. Iron oxide-coated MWCNTs nanohybrid field emitters: a potential cold cathode for next-generation electron sources. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 31, 17482–17490 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-020-04304-8

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