Field electron emission properties from aligned carbon nanotube bundles of different density

Details are given of an experimental study of the field emission characteristics of well-aligned carbon nanotube films. The films were prepared in a catalyst-assisted process using bias-enhanced microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition. They consist of bundles of carbon nanotubes, the density of which may be controlled by changing the thickness of the pre-deposited catalyst film. The transparent anode technique was used to measure the field emission properties of the carbon nanotube films and it was found that films having a low density of bundles have better field emission properties. The findings are explained by the electrostatic screen effect. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.