Well-aligned MoO2 nanowires arrays: Synthesis and field emission properties

Crystalline MoO2 nanowires arrays were synthesized by electrochemical deposition from Na2MoO4 aqueous solution using pre-annealed anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template, then followed by annealed in a tube furnace at 650 °C under an atmosphere of a 10% hydrogen/90% nitrogen mixture. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Field emission measurements demonstrated that the turn-on voltage of the MoO2 nanowires arrays was 3.0 V/μm and the threshold voltage was 4.6 V/μm. The MoO2 nanoarrays provide an alternative substitute for the manufacturing of Mo-based field emitters because of the convenient preparation of nanoarrays.