Observation of field emission from carbon nanoparticles film coating on top of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on silicon substrate

Abstract The carbon nanoparticles film coating on top of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on silicon substrate (CNPs/CNTs/silicon) has been prepared by the pyrolysis of FePC at 960 °C. The surface morphologies and structure of the prepared sample are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. The field electron emission (FEE) properties of the CNPs/CNTs are also measured. A low turn-on electric field of 1.3  V / μ m at a current density of 10 μ A / c m 2 , low threshold electric field of 1.8  V / μ m at a current density of 1 m A / c m 2 , a high emission density and good field emission stability are obtained. The above results make CNPs/CNTs/silicon an effective field emitter.