Stable and uniform field emission from zinc oxide nanowires grown on carbon nanotube mesh template

Zinc oxide nanowires (ZNW) were grown on a vertically-aligned carbon nanotube mesh array (VACM), of which the field emission properties were determined and compared with bare ZNW and bare VACM, respectively. The ZNW–VACM combined structure produced a macroscopic turn-on field of 0.8 V/μm and a threshold field of 2.3 V/μm, which was found to be much lower than that of bare ZNW. Crucially, field emission from ZNW–VACM was much more stable and uniform than that from bare VACM and exhibits a current fluctuation of less than 0.5% in 80 h with a current density of ~ 1 mA/cm2, making it a promising field emitter for field emission backlighting and displays.

► Zinc oxide nanowires (ZNW) were grown on a carbon nanotube template (CNT).
► The CNT provides high conductivity and field enhancement.
► The ZNR regulates the current allowing for operation at high pressures.
► The field emission performances of the combined structure were improved.