Calculation of field enhancement factor of the carbon nanotube array

Citations Over Time

Abstract

To estimate the apex field enhancement factor associated with an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a planar cathode surface, the model of floating spheres between parallel anode and cathode plates is proposed. An approximate formula for the enhancement factor is derived, showing that the intertube distance of a CNT array critically affects the field emission. When the intertube distance is less than the height of the tube, the enhancement factor decreases rapidly with decreasing distance, qualitatively in agreement with the numerical simulation. Considering the field emission current density, the field emission can be optimized when the intertube distance is comparable with the tube height, in accordance with the results from experiments. Finally, the influence of the anode-cathode distance on the enhancement factor is also discussed, showing that the anode-cathode distance has little effect on the field emission from CNT array. Thus, we can reduce the threshold voltage to some extent by decreasing the anode-cathode distance.

Related Papers

• → Exchange Current Density of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes(2011)58 cited
• → Current Distribution of a PEMFC under CO Poisoning(2009)16 cited
• → Enhancement of field emission performance of graphene nanowalls: the role of compound-cathode architecture and anode proximity effect(2020)10 cited
• → <title>Computer simulation of field emission multitip cathodes</title>(2008)1 cited
• → Study the structure of carbon nanotube cathodes with high emission current(2006)