Synthesis and Field Emission Properties of Electroless Nickel Deposition on Carbon Fibers

Carbon fibers (CNFs) were surfacial metallized by electroless deposited with nickel, and their field emission properties were investigated by diode test. The results indicated that the CNFs owned better field emission properties after electroless depositing nickel for 30 min, with nickel metal thickness as 3.25 µm and the volume resistivity down to 1.3510-4 Ω•cm. The morphology and composite of Ni-coated CNFs were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractions (XRD), respectively. The results indicated Ni-coated CNFs were amorphous and had better surface. The field emission tests showed when applied voltage was 832V, Ni-coated CNFs appeared bright dots, and the high luminance achieved 988cd/m2 under applied voltage 1456V.