Correlation of field emission properties with morphology and surface composition of CVD nanocarbon films

We report on the study of electron field emission (FE) from graphitic nano-structured carbon (nC) films. The nC films were produced by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and consist of plate-like graphite crystallites having the orientation of their graphene atomic layers predominantly along the substrate surface normal. The thickness of the crystallites ranges between 2 and 20 nm, while their lateral dimensions vary within 0.5–3 μm. Surface morphology and composition of the nC films were modified by laser treatment and by deposition of thin metal layers. The comparative study of FE for as-grown and treated nC films showed that emission threshold and density of emission sites depend on surface composition and structure rather than on its morphology.