Field emission investigation of as-synthesized Cu/ZnO nanostructure films

Cu/ZnO nanostructures have been synthesized by cathodic electrodeposition technique. The field emission cha- racteristics of the as-synthesized films, obtained by planar diode configuration, showed high emission current and stable field emission over long hours of operation. The analysis of the field emission characteristics, based on varia- tion of the Fowler-Noedheim plots parameters and SEM images, suggests an emission evolution during operation time. The evolution of the field emission is explained on the basis of the field induced diffusion/activation of the Cu nanoparticles.