TiO 2 nanotubes as a cold cathode for x-ray generation

Abstract

Here we report on an x-ray source based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes grown by electrochemical oxidation. From the analysis of current-voltage characteristics of TiO2 electron emitter field emission nature of the current was confirmed. The threshold voltage and field enhancement factors were derived to be ∼1.8 V/μm and ∼8363, respectively. The current density was ∼4.0 mA/cm2 at ∼2.4 V/μm. The stability tests showed that the current stayed stable within 6% for more than 720 h. TiO2 nanotubes were used as a cold cathode in x-ray tube and it was demonstrated that TiO2 nanotubes could be a good candidate for such applications.