High electron emission from branched tree-like carbon nanotubes suitable for field emission applications

Fabrication of branched tree-like carbon nanostructures has been carried out by means of a sequential hydrogenation and growth process in a direct-current plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition unit. The field emission characteristic of the tree-like structures has been investigated showing a dramatic improvement with respect to vertical nanotubes. The fabrication process consists of the growth of vertical nanotubes, hydrogenation treatment, encapsulation and a secondary treatment and growth. The secondary growth takes advantage of the tip growth mechanism and is seeded on top of the initial nanotubes. The emission characteristic of the evolved nanostructures is expected to promote considerably due to a field enhancement as observed from the emission characteristics of the nanostructures. A preliminary field emission display has been realized at pixel level. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.