Effect of transition metal decoration on field emission properties of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes: an interplay between conventional parameters and occupancy of 3d and 4 s states
摘要
The present work analyses the effect of transition metal decoration on field emission properties of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs). Several transition metals (Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) have been decorated on VACNTs to examine the role of d-state occupancy on the field emission properties. It is found that d-state occupancy does play a role in governing the current density, and it is not always possible to explain the field emission results only on the basis of conventional parameters like field enhancement factor and work function. The present study shows that among the studied transition metals and their oxides, Zn and CuO-decorated VACNTs give the most promising field emission results.