Enhancement of field emission properties of cyanoacrylate–carbon nanotube arrays by laser treatment

Abstract

Cyanoacrylate–carbon nanotube arrays are prepared by embedding carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays grown on silicon substrate in cyanoacrylate adhesive. Upon laser treatment, enhanced field emission properties are obtained. Moreover, the binding force between the carbon nanotubes and the substrate is strengthened by the cyanoacrylate adhesive. When the field emission current is large enough at high electric field, the carbon nanotubes cannot be pulled out of the substrate by electric field force. A large field emission current can be obtained from cyanoacrylate–carbon nanotube arrays at relatively low voltage just by decreasing the distance between the anode and the cathode.