Field-Emission Characteristics of Electrochemically Synthesized Polypyrrole Nanotubes Prepared by SDC

摘要

This paper reports the field-emission characteristics of nanotip emitters prepared by the solution-drop-casting (SDC) of conducting polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes. Nanotubes of conducting PPy were synthesized using the electrochemical polymerization method with an alumina nanoporous template. The synthesis and formation of PPy nanotubes were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The nanotip emitters of the field-emission cells were easily patterned using SDC, in which PPy nanomaterials were homogeneously dispersed in organic solvents, and then dropped and dried on an n-type doped Si substrate as the cathode. The results showed that the current density of the field-emission cells increased in the order of approx 10~6, and that the lowest threshold electric field was approx 2 V/ mum. The emission of the current density was stable with a current-voltage annealing time up to 60 min. The field-emission characteristics were controlled through doping and dedoping of the conducting PPy nanomaterials.