Full Paper

Carbon-Nanotube–Polymer Nanocomposites for Field-Emission Cathodes

  1. Thomas Connolly2,
  2. Richard C. Smith2,
  3. Yenny Hernandez3,
  4. Yurii Gun'ko4,
  5. Jonathan N. Coleman3,
  6. J. David Carey1,*

Article first published online: 6 FEB 2009

DOI: 10.1002/smll.200801094

Issue

Small

Small

Volume 5, Issue 7, pages 826–831, April 6, 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Connolly, T., Smith, R. C., Hernandez, Y., Gun'ko, Y., Coleman, J. N. and Carey, J. D. (2009), Carbon-Nanotube–Polymer Nanocomposites for Field-Emission Cathodes. Small, 5: 826–831. doi: 10.1002/smll.200801094

Author Information

  1. 1

    Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH (UK)

  2. 2

    Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH (UK)

  3. 3

    School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 (Ireland)

  4. 4

    School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 (Ireland)

*Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey Guildford GU2 7XH (UK).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 APR 2009
  2. Article first published online: 6 FEB 2009
  3. Manuscript Revised: 18 DEC 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 28 JUL 2008

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (413K)

Keywords:

  • carbon nanotubes;
  • displays;
  • electron field emission;
  • nanocomposites

Graphical Abstract

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Well-dispersed carbon-nanotube (CNT) composites can be produced by solution processing from which electron emission can be observed at low nanotube content (see image). The synthesis of randomly oriented nanotube–polymer composites by solution processing allows the development of CNT-based large area cathodes produced using a scalable technology.

Abstract

The electron field-emission (FE) characteristics of functionalized single-walled carbon-nanotube (CNT)–polymer composites produced by solution processing are reported. It is shown that excellent electron emission can be obtained by using as little as 0.7% volume fraction of nanotubes in the composite. Furthermore by tailoring the nanotube concentration and type of polymer, improvements in the charge transfer through the composite can be obtained. The synthesis of well-dispersed randomly oriented nanotube–polymer composites by solution processing allows the development of CNT-based large area cathodes produced using a scalable technology. The relative insensitivity of the cathode's FE characteristics to the electrical conductivity of the composite is also discussed.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (413K)