| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10611377 | Carbon | 2005 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
We present a simple method to functionalize the surface and to modify the structures of aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays grown on silicon substrates using CF4 plasma produced by reactive ion etching (RIE). Field emission (FE) measurements showed that after 2Â min of plasma treatment, the emission currents were enhanced compared with as-grown CNTs; however, extended treatment over 2Â min was found to degrade the FE properties of the film. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy have been employed to investigate the mechanism behind the modified FE properties of the CNT film. The FE enhancement after 2Â min of etching could be attributed to favorable surface morphologies, open-ended structures and a large number of defects in the aligned CNT films. On the other hand, deposition of an amorphous layer comprising carbon and fluorine during extended CF4 plasma treatment may hamper the field emission of CNT films.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Energy (General)
Authors
Y.W. Zhu, F.C. Cheong, T. Yu, X.J. Xu, C.T. Lim, J.T.L. Thong, Z.X. Shen, C.K. Ong, Y.J. Liu, A.T.S. Wee, C.H. Sow,