Study the electron field emission properties of silver nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes-based cold-cathode field emitters via post-plasma treatment

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the promising candidate for performing the remarkable electron field emission due to owing the advanced electrical and structural properties. In this current work, we have proposed the post-plasma treatment of as-synthesized and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) attached CNT field emitters. We have studied the electron field emission properties of CNT field emitters such as the turn-on (E_to) and threshold (E_th) fields drastically reduced after attachment and plasma treatment process. The emission current density (J) have also increased and have exhibited the better temporal stability for 2800 min for the plasma-treated Ag NPs attached CNT field emitter. The calculated scaled barrier field value (f^extr) belongs in the acceptable range and qualifies the orthodox hypothesis test as well. Plasma treated Ag NPs coated CNT field emitter could be a promising candidate for the cold-cathode electron field emission application in vacuum devices.