Enhanced field emission from imprinted carbon nanotube arrays

Abstract

The authors have fabricated patterned carbon nanotube arrays by a simple postgrowth imprinting method. Patterns with size down to 2μm can be formed with appropriate stamps. The imprinted array exhibited greatly enhanced field emission, the turn-on voltage was reduced to 0.9V∕μm from 2.8V∕μm of the as grown sample, and the aging behavior in long time emission was also lessened. The imprinted patterns were stable and able to withstand long time field emission measurement. This method could serve as a promising candidate for fast and low-cost production of patterned carbon nanotube arrays.