Characterization of Field Emission Properties of β-Na0.33V2O5 Single Crystalline Nanowires

High quality sodium vanadate (beta-Na0.33V2O5) nanowires were grown directly on conducting silicon substrates by a facile chemical solution deposition method without employing catalyst, surfactant or carrier gas. The beta-Na0.33V2O5 nanowires have typical average diameter of about 120 nm and length over 7 mu m. The growth mechanism for beta-Na0.33V2O5 nanowires are also proposed in detail. The electrical conductivity of beta-Na0.33V2O5 nanowires measured along the growth direction was found to be about 0.57 S/cm. This is in good accordance with other results reported elsewhere. The field emission characteristics of beta-Na0.33V2O5 nanowires were also investigated. It was found that high current density (550 mu A/cm(2)) and low turn-on field voltage (0.6 V/mu m) as well as high stability were obtained.