Study on Field Emission Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Different Metal Substrates

In this study, we fabricate the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on different metal substrates via a simple and economic growing process by using a spraying device to inject the catalyst into the reaction chamber. The microstructure and field emission properties of the CNTs grown by three different metal substrates are researched. The results show that the CNTs grown on the high-voltage aluminum alloy substrate have optimal field emission properties. The turn-on electric field and threshold electric field is 0.92 V/μm and 2.58 V/μm respectively and the field enhancement factor is 20930. Lastly, the field emission current stability of the CNTs is tested, finding the field emission current of the CNTs grown on the high-voltage aluminum alloy substrate is the stablest. The high current density and good stability demonstrate that the CNTs grown on the high-voltage aluminum alloy substrate could be the promising and highly efficient field electron emitters.