Field emission characteristics of carbon nanotube films fabricated on a metal mesh by filtration

► We improve the rigidity of CNT films by incorporating a metal mesh inside. ► The thin and thick CNT suspensions are filtrated in sequence through a metal mesh and a polymer membrane, producing the double-layered CNT films with a mesh inserted. ► The CNT-mesh structure is spontaneously separated from the membrane on thermal drying, forming vertically aligned bushes of thin CNTs on the surface. ► Thin CNTs work as field emitters while thick CNTs act as supporters for the thin CNT layer.