Observation of low turn-on field emission from nanocomposites of GO/TiO2 and RGO/TiO2.

Highly dense TiO 2 nanotubes were synthesized by anodization of titanium foil. The TiO 2 nanotubes were characterized by using XRD, FESEM, TEM and HRTEM. GO/TiO 2 and RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites were synthesized by electrophoresis method using de-ionised water. FESEM images confirm complete covering of the GO and RGO nanosheets on the entire surface of TiO 2 nanotubes. Field emission studies of TiO 2 nanotubes, GO/TiO 2 and RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites have been carried out. Turn-on field for the emission current density of 10 μA/cm 2 , has been observed to be 2.9 V/μm, 3.3 V/μm and 2.6 V/μm for TiO 2 nanotubes, GO/TiO 2 and RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites respectively. For the TiO 2 nanotubes, GO/TiO 2 and RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites, the field enhancement factor (β) were calculated and are found to be 2059, 1482 and 2300. The turn-on field of the RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposite has been found to be superior than other reported values of TiO 2 nanostructures. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on field emission studies of GO/TiO 2 and RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites. Simple synthesis route coupled with the superior field emission behavior makes the present emitter more suitable for nano-electronics application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]