Film surface morphology and field-emission characteristics of a carbon-nanotube array pattern fabricated under a magnetic field

— This study focuses on the influence of sodium metasilicate binder on CNT paste and the arrangment of Mg‐Ni alloy multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on the surface of CNT film under the influence of a magnetic field. The CNT paste was prepared by mixing CNTs with silver epoxy resin and sodium metasilicate solution and coating them onto the surface of indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. The impact of sodium metasilicate solution and magnetic strength on the morphology of the paste film's surface and on the field‐emission (FE) characterics of the cathode was examined. The experimental results showed that the CNT paste provided good adhesion between the CNT array and silver epoxy resin when sodium metasilicate solution was presented. CNT paste containing sodium metasilicate showed a better dispersion with silver epoxy resin and a better CNT‐array pattern, and better vertical alignment of the CNT was obtained when the magnetic field and grid were both appied. An optimal condition for a better CNT‐array pattern for both the morphology and FE characteristics had a magnetic strength of 1 89 mT, magnetization time of 30 min, and a grid above the cathode.