Field emission studies of CNTs/ZnO nanostructured thin films for display devices

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were coated on the surface of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve the field emission characteristic of MWCNTs. The synthesis of MWCNTs was made by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). RF sputtering was used to prepare MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposite. The as-prepared nanocomposites were identified by electron microscopes (transmission and scanning), Raman spectroscopy and X-Ray diffractometer (HRXRD) to establish the linking of ZnO nanoparticles on MWCNTs. The field emission studies of MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposites show that the current density is increased remarkably. After attachment of ZnO nanoparticles, it is observed that the turn-on field of MWCNTs decreases. These results have been shown in terms of enhanced current density and field enhancement factor after surface modification of MWCNTs field emitters.