The synthesis and field emission property of carbon nanotubes on carbon fibers substrate

Using ferrocene as catalyst precursor, C₂H₂ as carbon source, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with uniform density were synthesized on carbon fibers substrate by floating catalyst method. The morphology and microstructure were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The observation showed that the length of CNTs is about 2 m, the average space between adjacent CNTs is about 300 nm and the diameter of CNT is about 45 nm. The less dense "short and stubby" aligned CNTs films should have good electron field emission characteristics. The CNTs synthesized on carbon fibers substrate has many predominances for the fabrication of cold cathode devices. Therefore, CNTs/carbon fibers may have potential application in field emission displays.