Using copper substrate to enhance electron field emission properties of carbon nanotube/diamond double-layered structure

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT)/diamond double-layered structure was synthesized on copper (Cu) substrate by hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. The structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the diamond layer has good adhesion to the Cu substrate and the CNTs have direct contact with the diamond layer. Field electron emission measurement shows that the double-layered structure on copper has very good emission stability and a much lower turn-on field than that on silicon (Si).