Field emission properties of aligned CN sub(x) nanotube arrays synthesized by pyrolysis of a ferrocene/acetonitrile aerosol at different temperatures

Nitrogen-containing carbon (CN sub(x)) nanotubes have been grown vertically on silicon substrates by decomposition of a ferrocene/acetonitrile aerosol at temperatures 750, 800, 850, and 900 degree [ETH]!. A CN sub(x) nanotube array, produced at 850 degree [ETH]!, had the greatest height 220 mu m and the smallest nitrogen content 3.8at%. The content of graphitic nitrogen form, referred to a nitrogen atom with three carbon neighbors in a hexagonal lattice, increased gradually with the synthesis temperature. Field electron emission measurements showed that the CN sub(x) nanotube arrays have better characteristics than aligned non-doped carbon nanotubes. To reveal effect of nitrogen on the filed threshold, we calculated current-voltage dependencies for CN sub(x) nanotube models containing different amount of graphitic and pyridinic nitrogen species. Influence of the synthesis temperature on the height and total nitrogen content in CN sub(x) nanotube array and relation of these parameters with the threshold of field emission appearance.