Electron Field Emission from films of palladium oxide nanoparticles

Electron Field Emission at atmospheric pressure from films of palladium oxide (PdO) nanoparticles is demonstrated. PdO nanoparticles with average height of 9 - 45 nm were grown on silicon substrates by oxidizing film of Pd nanoparticles. The field emission current was measured in a parallel plate diode configuration structure with 1 mum of separation between cathode and anode. The current-voltage characteristics of the structure were measured with voltages between plusmn100 V. The electrical current of the structure without film of nanoemitters was 4 nA at 100 V, the maximum current measured with films of PdO nanoemitters was of 1 muA at the same voltage.