Synthesis and field emission properties of graphene-Ni hybrid composites.

Nickel decorated vertically aligned graphene sheets (VGSN1) and vertically aligned graphene sheets-graphene shell/nickel core (VGSN2) hybrids have been synthesized by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD). The surface morphology, microstructure and growth mechanisms of VGSN1 and VGSN2 hybrids were investigated. The field emission (FE) studies indicated that the graphene-Ni hybrids delivered better FE performance than pristine graphene (VGS/Si) due to the insert of Ni particles. The influences of the morphologies and structures on FE performance have been revealed. Our approach provides a novel way to fabricate highly efficient graphene-based field emitters for the development of practical electron sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]