Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in mesoporous silica film and their field emission property

Abstract

We have succeeded in direct synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on a conductive substrate coated with a 3D mesoporous silica film, and observed the field emission. Co catalysts for the growth of SWNTs are deposited on the substrate by electroplating. The particle size of the catalyst is well-controlled inside defined space of the mesoporous silica film. Furthermore, the location of Co particles can be controlled in the mesopores by the electroplating method. Mono-dispersed SWNTs are grown along with the mesopores that are normal to the substrate, because Co particles are deposited at the bottom of the mesopores. It is also found that the mesoporous silica film prevents the aggregation of Co catalysts and the distortion of Au layer as the conductive substrate. The field emission measurement shows that the turn-on field is 4.2 V/μm at 10 μA/cm². The field enhancement factor is about 1500. This approach provides an efficient methodology for fabricating an SWNTs-based field emitters.