Insights into Growth Mechanisms and Kinetics of VACNTs via SiC Decomposition for Field Emission Applications

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) have attracted significant interest due to their high aspect ratio, mechanical strength, and thermal stability which is also making them promising candidates as a field electron emitters. While chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is commonly used to produce VACNTs, CVD process causes several challenges such as substrate adherence, catalyst impurities, poor alignment control, and contact resistance between the emitter and substrate.<br/><br/>We used an alternative approach for the formation of VACNT through high-temperature vacuum decomposition of SiC. The VACNT growth mechanism and kinetic factors were investigated to design and produce aligned CNT structures using SiC decomposition. Our optimization studies explored strategies to improve the control over the CNT array lengths. Field emission results have been correlated with electron optic microscopy analysis and Raman spectroscopy results to elucidate electron emission mechanisms.<br/><br/>(This study is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research grant number FA9550 19 1 7048.)