촉매처리 방법에 따른 탄소 나노튜브의 전계방출 특성

Field-emission characteristics of carbon nanotubes: The effect of catalyst preparation

We present experimental results that regard the effects of catalyst preparation on the structural and field-emissive properties of CNTs. The CNTs used in this research have been synthesized using the inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD) method. Catalyst materials (such as Ni, Co, and Invar 426) are varied and deposited on buffer films by RF magnetron sputtering. Prior to growth of CNTs, $NH_3$ plasma etching has also been performed with varying plasma etching time and power. For all the CNTs grown, nanostructures and morphologies are analyzed using Raman spectroscopy and FESEM, in terms of buffer films, catalyst materials, and pre-treatment conditions. Furthermore, the field electron-emission of CNTs are measured and characterized in terms of the catalyst preparation environments. The CNTs grown on Nicatalyst layer would be more effectual for enhancing the growth rate and achieving the vertical-alignment of CNTs rather than other buffer materials from results of SEM study. The crystalline graphitic structure of CNTs is improved as the catalyst dot reaches a critical size. Also, the field-emission result shows that the CNTs using Ni catalyst would be more favorable for improving electron-emission capabilities of CNTs compared with other samples.