Field emission properties of tapered carbon nanotubes synthesized by the pyrolysis of poly(ethylene glycol) using a nickel catalyst

►Tapered carbon nanotube (TCNT) has a sharply tapered tip. ►TCNTs were synthesized by poly(ethylene glycol) and nickel catalyst. ►Catalyst particle of TCNT is about 1 μm in length and 20 nm in diameter. ►TCNTs exhibit good field emission property due to the characteristics of catalyst.