MWNT polymer composite degradation under high emission current regime as revealed by mass spectrometry

In our work we study field emission properties of a new class of emitters formed by coating the MWNT-polymer composite film onto the flat metal substrate. MWNT-polystyrene suspension was coated onto the polished stainless steel tablets of 1 cm diameter by using spin-coating technique. In order to understand the physical and chemical processes for the composite emitter working regime we have elaborated the experimental technique combining mass spectrometry registration apparatus with the field emission unit, MSFEU. The technique enables to control both the composition and kinetics of gas release upon the emitter material degradation together with electron stimulated neutral molecule desorption from the anode. At present, this method is widely applied in various laboratories for studying the nature of the strength of solids.