Enhanced field emission from multi-walled carbon nanotubes grown on pure copper substrate

An efficient CNT-based field emitter was prepared on a Cu substrate using thermal chemical vapor deposition. Field emission characterization of the emitter showed a very low turn-on field, high emission current, long time stability and good resistance to degradation in high-field, long-time exposure. These superior field emission characteristics are attributed to a lower contact barrier and higher conductivity of the substrate. High resolution transmission electron microscope analysis showed the presence of a conducting phase, TiC, at the metal-CNT interface, providing a low contact resistance barrier.