Work Function of Amorphous Carbon Nitride with Various Functional Groups

Abstract

The work function of the amorphous phase of hydrogenated carbon nitride (a-CNx:H) was calculated using Fowler–Nordheim field emission. First, metal films were deposited on conductive ZnO:Al whiskers to determine the geometric field enhancement factor at the tip of the field emitter. The radius of curvature at the whisker tip after the deposition of metal films was measured. Next, the geometric field enhancement factor of ceramic whiskers was calculated using the work function of the metals and the radius of curvature of the emitter tip. Finally, the work function of a-CNx:H was introduced using the Fowler–Nordheim equation with the geometric field enhancement factor. The work function of a-CNx:H is dependent upon the functional group.