Enhanced field electron emission properties of graphite nanoplatelet paste emitters using graphite binder and graphite nanoparticle filler

Graphite nanoplatelet (GNP) paste field emitters fabricated using all-carbon-based materials, such as GNPs, graphite nanoparticles, graphite binders, and a graphite rod substrate have been demonstrated. The GNP field emitters on the graphite rod substrate showed an emission current density of 84.3 mA/cm2 and good emission stability with a degradation rate of less than 10%, indicating higher emission performance than other GNP field emitters. The enhanced field emission performance of the GNP field emitter is attributed to a low work function barrier between carbon materials, low contact resistance between GNPs and the graphite rod substrate, and good GNP paste bulk electrical conductivity. The new approach to fabricate GNP field emitters using all-carbon-based materials can be useful for various field emission devices.