Study on structures and electron field emission of nitrogenated carbon nanotips grown by plasma-enhanced hot filament chemical vapor deposition

Nitrogenated carbon nanotips (NCNTPs) with different structures were synthesized by plasma-enhanced hot filament chemical vapor deposition under different time using methane, nitrogen and hydrogen as the reaction gases. The results of field emission scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the NCNTPs are amorphous structure and they have significant changes in the morphologies and components with the growth time. The electron field emission (EFE) from NCNTPs was measured and the results show that the current density increases from about 200 to 2800μA/cm2 at the field of 12V/μm depending on their structures and components. According to the growth conditions, the characterization results and the electronic structure of amorphous carbon, the changes in the structures, components and work function of NCNTPs were analyzed. Combined the work function with the characterization results, the EFE properties of NCNTPs were studied. ► Nitrogenated carbon nanotips (NACNTPs) were synthesized by plasma-enhanced CVD. ► The electron field emission (EFE) properties of NCNTPs were studied. ► The work function of NCNTPs is lowered with the nitrogen doping. ► The better EFE properties of NCNTPs are related to high nitrogen doping.