Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma

Mohammad Moeen Hasan Raza; Firoz Khan; Shah Masheerul Aalam; Mohd Sadiq; Javid Ali

doi:10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434

Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma

Mohammad Moeen Hasan Raza^*
, Firoz Khan
, Shah Masheerul Aalam
, Mohd Sadiq
, Javid Ali

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for their low turn-on field and rapid emission has been a key focus in developing an optimal vacuum-based electron emitter. Despite the potential of CNTs for emission applications, specific limitations impact their overall efficacy. This study focuses on overcoming these limitations by altering the surface morphology of CNTs through the decoration of Cu nanoparticle (Cu NP) flakes via an Ar + N₂ gas-based plasma process at different plasma powers. The field emission parameters demonstrate substantial improvements, including a reduced turn-on field (E_to) from 2.631→1.917V/μm and threshold field (E_th) from 3.768→2.552V/μm, an increment in a macroscopic emission current density (J) from 6.587→46.426mA/cm², and a field enhancement factor (β) enhanced from 2478→3977, respectively. The decorated CNT field emitters meet orthodox field emission hypothesis criteria, suggesting their potential for vacuum electronic device applications.

Original language	English
Article number	118434
Journal	Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology
Volume	320
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434
State	Published - Oct 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

Carbon nanotubes
Cu nanoparticle flakes
Emission stability
Field emission
Surface decoration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanical Engineering

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10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434

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title = "Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma",

abstract = "Exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for their low turn-on field and rapid emission has been a key focus in developing an optimal vacuum-based electron emitter. Despite the potential of CNTs for emission applications, specific limitations impact their overall efficacy. This study focuses on overcoming these limitations by altering the surface morphology of CNTs through the decoration of Cu nanoparticle (Cu NP) flakes via an Ar + N2 gas-based plasma process at different plasma powers. The field emission parameters demonstrate substantial improvements, including a reduced turn-on field (Eto) from 2.631→1.917V/μm and threshold field (Eth) from 3.768→2.552V/μm, an increment in a macroscopic emission current density (J) from 6.587→46.426mA/cm2, and a field enhancement factor (β) enhanced from 2478→3977, respectively. The decorated CNT field emitters meet orthodox field emission hypothesis criteria, suggesting their potential for vacuum electronic device applications.",

keywords = "Carbon nanotubes, Cu nanoparticle flakes, Emission stability, Field emission, Surface decoration",

author = "Raza, \{Mohammad Moeen Hasan\} and Firoz Khan and Aalam, \{Shah Masheerul\} and Mohd Sadiq and Javid Ali",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 Elsevier B.V.",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434",

language = "English",

volume = "320",

journal = "Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology",

issn = "0921-5107",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",

}

Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma. / Raza, Mohammad Moeen Hasan; Khan, Firoz; Aalam, Shah Masheerul et al.
In: Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology, Vol. 320, 118434, 10.2025.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma

AU - Raza, Mohammad Moeen Hasan

AU - Khan, Firoz

AU - Aalam, Shah Masheerul

AU - Sadiq, Mohd

AU - Ali, Javid

PY - 2025/10

Y1 - 2025/10

N2 - Exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for their low turn-on field and rapid emission has been a key focus in developing an optimal vacuum-based electron emitter. Despite the potential of CNTs for emission applications, specific limitations impact their overall efficacy. This study focuses on overcoming these limitations by altering the surface morphology of CNTs through the decoration of Cu nanoparticle (Cu NP) flakes via an Ar + N2 gas-based plasma process at different plasma powers. The field emission parameters demonstrate substantial improvements, including a reduced turn-on field (Eto) from 2.631→1.917V/μm and threshold field (Eth) from 3.768→2.552V/μm, an increment in a macroscopic emission current density (J) from 6.587→46.426mA/cm2, and a field enhancement factor (β) enhanced from 2478→3977, respectively. The decorated CNT field emitters meet orthodox field emission hypothesis criteria, suggesting their potential for vacuum electronic device applications.

AB - Exploring carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for their low turn-on field and rapid emission has been a key focus in developing an optimal vacuum-based electron emitter. Despite the potential of CNTs for emission applications, specific limitations impact their overall efficacy. This study focuses on overcoming these limitations by altering the surface morphology of CNTs through the decoration of Cu nanoparticle (Cu NP) flakes via an Ar + N2 gas-based plasma process at different plasma powers. The field emission parameters demonstrate substantial improvements, including a reduced turn-on field (Eto) from 2.631→1.917V/μm and threshold field (Eth) from 3.768→2.552V/μm, an increment in a macroscopic emission current density (J) from 6.587→46.426mA/cm2, and a field enhancement factor (β) enhanced from 2478→3977, respectively. The decorated CNT field emitters meet orthodox field emission hypothesis criteria, suggesting their potential for vacuum electronic device applications.

KW - Carbon nanotubes

KW - Cu nanoparticle flakes

KW - Emission stability

KW - Field emission

KW - Surface decoration

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005502627

U2 - 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434

DO - 10.1016/j.mseb.2025.118434

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105005502627

SN - 0921-5107

VL - 320

JO - Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology

JF - Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid-State Materials for Advanced Technology

M1 - 118434

ER -

Synergistic enhancement of carbon nanotube field emission properties through copper nanoparticle flake decoration under argon and nitrogen gas plasma

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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