Carbon coated Nb2O5 nanowires as enhanced field emitters

► Carbon coated Nb2O5 nanowires have been synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). ► Carbon coating thickness can be controlled simply by varying time of C2H2 exposure in PECVD chamber. ► Field-emission characteristics of carbon coated Nb2O5 nanowires were far superior in comparison to pristine Nb2O5 nanowires. ► Field emission characteristics also improved with increasing carbon coating thickness (emission current densities exceeding 50 mA/cm2 were obtained). ► Stable emission current densities and a uniform emission site distribution were also observed in carbon coated Nb2O5 nanowires.