Enhanced field-emission obtained from NO coated carbon nanotubes

NiO coated carbon nanotube (CNT) emitters used for enhancing the field-emission properties in terms of electron emissivity and structure stability is discussed. The field emission lighting devices comprise a planar substrate with arrays or cathodes and a phosphor coated display screen. The coating of NiO around CNTs was done by employing an electroless plating technique. The linearity at high fields implying a quantum tunneling effect was commonly observed for all the nanotubes. The field enhancement factor of bare CNT was observed between NiO/CNT and Ni/CNT. The field enhancement factors were quite distinguishable comparing with that of bare CNTs. The field enhancement factor ranging between 2103~2784 activated interaction between neighboring emitters when the applied voltage was increased. The NiO coated CNTs are applicable to new type of cold emitters for light emitting devices.