Synthesis and field-emission behavior of highly oriented boron carbonitride nanofibers

Large-area highly oriented boron carbonitride (BCN) nanofibers with various compositions were synthesized directly on polished polycrystalline nickel substrates from a gas mixture of N-2, H-2, CH4, and B2H6 by bias-assisted hot-filament chemical-vapor deposition. The morphology of BCN nanofibers was examined by scanning electron microscopy, the nanofiber structure was studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and the chemical composition of individual nanofibers was determined by electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Field-emission behavior of the BCN nanofibers was characterized and a high emission current density of about 20-80 mA/cm(2) at a low electric field of 5-6 V/mu m implies a promising application as field-emission sources. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)04018-3].