Enhanced Field Emission of ZnO Nanowires

Abstract

Enhanced field emission from ZnO nanowires grown on carbon cloth (see Figure) has been measured. These emitters produced a field emission current density of 1 mA cm–2 at about 0.7 V μm–1, corresponding to an exceptionally high field-enhancement factor of 4.11 × 104. Such an extremely high field-enhancement factor is believed to be the combined effect of the high aspect ratio of ZnO nanowires and the geometry of the carbon-cloth substrate.