Transparent field emission device from a spray coating of single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A transparent field emission device made from spray coating a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) in N,N -dimethylformamide (DMF) was developed. Highly crystalline SWNTs were successfully synthesized using a vapor phase method. Amorphous carbon and catalyst metal particles that remained in the SWNTs were removed using a purification process. The purified SWNTs were diluted and dispersed in DMF using an ultrasonic bath and a magnetic stirrer. The residue was removed by centrifugation of the SWNT DMF solution. The solution was then spray-coated to fabricate the emitter devices. The SWNT emitter has a transparency of more than 60% and a resistance of 200 ω/. The transparent field emission device shows a maximum current density of 0.9 mA cm-1, a low turn-on field of 1.1 V mu; m-1, and a high field enhancement factor of 6000. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society.