Abstract

Multi-wall nitrogenated carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) are modified by the chlorine-plasma treatment (N-CNTs: CI) and hence studied their field emission characteristics. It is observed that the turn-on voltage of N-CNTs is decreased from similar to 1.0 V/mu m to -0.875 V/mu m on chlorination. The current density is enhanced from 1.3 mA/cm(2) (N-CNTs) to similar to 15 mA/cm(2) (N-CNTs:Cl) at an electric field of 1.9 V/mu m. The X-ray absorption near edge structure spectra revels, the formation of different bonding of chlorine with carbon and nitrogen presence in the N-CNTs during the process of chlorine-plasma treatment by the charge transfer (or else) that increase the density of free charge carriers and hence enhanced the field emission characteristics of N-CNTs:Cl. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.