Field emission characteristics of CuO nanowires by hydrogen plasma treatment

CuO nanowires were formed on copper-coated silicon substrates by a wet chemical process, immersing them in a hot alkaline solution. The effect of hydrogen plasma treatment on the field emission characteristics of the CuO nanowires was investigated. The results showed that hydrogen plasma treatment enhanced the field emission characteristics of the CuO nanowires showing a decrease in turn-on voltage as well as an increase of field enhancement factor. It is believed that hydrogen plasma treatment plays an important role in the improvement of field emission characteristics of CuO emitters.