Field emission property of highly ordered monodispersed carbon nanotube arrays

Abstract

A template-synthesis technique based on self-ordered hexagonal nanopore alumina templates was applied to synthesize highly ordered carbon nanotube arrays via thermal decomposition of ethylene with iron as the catalyst electrodeposited into the bottom of the pores. The resultant carbon nanotubes are monodispersed and have open ends with uniform sizes. It was found that the insulating oxide layer lying between the carbon nanotubes and the underlying aluminum greatly obstructs the electron emission from the carbon nanotube arrays. After the oxide layer was removed, the arrays exhibited excellent field emission properties with a threshold electric field of ∼2.8 V/μm and emission current density of 0.08 mA/cm2 at 3.6 V/μm.