Field Emission Properties of Molybdenum Nanoparticles Decorated ZnO Nanorod Arrays

Precisely controlled dimensions of heterostructured ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on micropatterned Au films supported by Si substrate using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The field emission properties were attributed to pointed nanorods, thickness of catalyst, preferential growth, density, morphology of ZnO and Molybdenum (Mo) decorated ZnO nanorod arrays (Mo/ZnO). The selective restrained heterostructure approach resulted in excellent control over periodicity, location and density of ZnO nanorod arrays. Overall, field emission properties of bare ZnO nanorod arrays showed a low turn-on field of ~4.7 V/μm and a high field enhancement factor (β) ~1686 to 7.3 V/μm and (β) ~807 for Mo/ZnO. It was also found that the field emission properties were significantly influenced by densely decorated Mo nanoparticles on as-grown ZnO nanorod arrays.