Growth and Characterisation of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes/Fibres for Field Emission Applications

Carbon Nanotubes have generated an increasing amount of interest since their initial observation by Ijima in 1991. Recently numerous groups have demonstrated both the lateral and vertical growth of carbon nanotube/fibres (CNTs) with a high degree of control over their alignment, length and diameter using catalytically mediated Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD). CNTs have thus emerged as highly promising candidates for use as electron field emitters in such applications as scanning probes, x-ray sources, flat panel displays, microwave amplifiers and parallel e-beam lithography systems. This paper will review the work that we've carried out using such a technique, employing Ni as the catalyst, to produce arrays of multiwall CNTs. The electrical properties of individual tubes will be described and the microscopic characterisation and field emission from such tubes will also be reported.