Journal Article

Advances in Novel Low-Macroscopic Field Emission Electrode Design Based on Fullerene-Doped Porous Silicon

Spivak, Yulia, Somov, Pavel, Mustafaev, Alexander, Moshnikov, Vyacheslav, Gerasimov, Victor, Smerdov, Rostislav, Bizyaev, Ivan

2021

Overview

Perspective low-macroscopic field (LMF) emission prototype cathodes based on fullerene C60—doped porous silicon were realized via a two-stage technique comprising the electrochemical etching process of a monocrystalline silicon wafer and functionalization of the acquired porous silicon (PS) matrix with silver-doped fullerene-based carbon structures. The resulting LMF cathode prototypes were studied with SEM and EDS techniques. The formation of an amorphous silver-doped C60-based layer consisting of nanosized aggregates on the matrix surface was established. The emission characteristics of the prototypes were analyzed, crucial parameters including threshold field strength values, emission current density, and effective potential barrier height for electrons were considered. A novel LMF emission model is suggested. It was established that the emitter prototypes realized during this study are on par with or superior to modern and promising field cathodes.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Buckminsterfullerene / Cathodes / Composite materials / Electric fields / Electrochemical etching / Electrodes / Electrolytes / Emission analysis / Emitters / Emitters (electron) / Energy / Etching / Field emission / Field strength / Fullerenes / Microscopy / Porous media / Porous silicon / Potential barriers / Power supply / Prototypes / Quantitative analysis / Silicon / Spectrum analysis