High current density, low threshold field emission from functionalized carbon nanotube bucky paper

Field emission studies of bucky paper of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), prepared after microwave (MW) assisted acid functionalization are reported along with a comparison with that of as-grown sample. MW treated bucky papers reveal an interesting linear field emission behavior in Fowler-Nordheim plot. The field emission currents at preset value are found to be remarkably stable over a period of more than 3 h sustaining current densities of 4.9 mA/cm(2) and 8.5 mA/cm(2) for as-grown and functionalized sample, respectively. The enhancement in the field emission due to functionalization has been discussed in terms of tip opening and defect induced charge transport caused by intershell and intertubular interaction. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3479049]