Synthesis and Field Emission Properties of Carbon Nanowire-Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks Hybrid Films

Abstract

Carbon nanowire (CNW)-singlewalled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) networks hybrid films with a large area (~400 mm2) are grown on molybdenum (Mo) layers by microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition system. The Mo layers, which were deposited on Al2O3 ceramic substrates through electron beam evaporation deposition, were pretreated by a laser-grooving (LG) technology. Furthermore, the surface morphology, micro-structure and field emission properties of these samples are characterized by scanning electron microscope, Raman spectra, and field emission I - V measurements. ACNW-SWCNT networks hybrid film was formed in the surface of Mo layer, but the laser etched area (linear pits array area) the distribution of the CNW-SWCNT networks density is lower than the un-etched area CNW-SWCNT networks distribution density. The diameter of the CNWs and SWCNTs, respectively in the 8 - 15 nm and 0.9 - 1.5 nm range, and the length of CNW-SWCNTs ranges from 1 μm to 4 μm. The growth mechanisms of the films were discussed. Effects of LG pretreatment on surface morphologies and microstructure of the hybrid films were investigated. The field electron emission experimental results shown that the ture on field as low as 1.6 V/μm, and a current density of 0.15 mA/cm2 at an electric field of 4.3 V/μm was obtained.