TiO2 nanotubes decorated by silver nanocubes: Extraction of high field emission current density

Silver (Ag) nanocubes with average size of 69 nm were decorated on TiO2 nanotubes by using UV-switchable reducing agent. The field emission current density versus applied field (J-E) and emission current versus time (I-t) characteristics were measured in a planer diode configuration at the base pressure of 1 × 10−8 mbar. Turn-on field defined for the emission current density of 10 µA/cm2 has been found to be 4.1 V/μm and upon the application of high applied electric field of 7.4 V/μm, maximum current density of 1.1 mA/cm2 has been achieved. I-t measurement has been studied at the preset of 1 µA emission current for the duration of 3 hr. Overall nature of emission current has been seen to be stable for duration of measurement. Superior field emission behavior in terms of maximum current density and emission stability makes the present emitter more suitable for micro/nano-electronics device applications.