Investigation of field emission characteristics and microstructure of nickel-doped DLC nanocomposite films by electrochemical deposition

► Nickel incorporated diamond-like carbon nanocomposite films were fabricated. ► The typical nanocrystalline/amorphous composite structure for samples. ► Excellent field emission performance of Ni/DLC films with the nickel concentration of 5 mg/L. ► The relationship between the microstructure and field emission performance was discussed.