Chapter 29
A Novel Approach to Artificial
Energy-Loss Free Field Emitters: The
Outstanding Cathodic Durability of High
Crystallized Single-Walled Carbon
Nanotubes
Norihiro Shimoi
Abstract We propose a novel approach to improve the durability and energy efficiency of field- emission (FE) devices with a simple structure employing high crystallized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) produced by high-temperature
annealing as the cathode material. We succeeded in establishing the generality and
efficacy underlying the electrical conductivity of a SWCNT by control of the crystallinity. We measured the FE durability and current fluctuation of the high crystallized SWCNTs, and found them to exhibit good stability for more than 1000 h with
a high FE current density of 30 mA/cm
2 under an applied DC voltage. Moreover,
we designed and successfully constructed elements of a planar electron emission
source device composed of a cathode employing highly purified, crystalline SWCNTs
dispersed homogeneously in organic solutions by a multi-step dispersion method.
It was further confirmed that the field emitters with the high crystallized SWCNTs
can be used in breakthrough applications with high loadings of over 3 A. Our new
devices may have a significant impact as planar FE emission devices employing
purified and high crystallized SWCNTs have a remarkable potential to indicate a
new and excellent approach for establishing an artificial energy-loss free device.
Keywords High crystallization · Single-walled carbon nanotube · Low power
consumption · Field emission · Planar lighting
29.1 Introduction
Since Rinzler et al. predicted the possibility of creating electrical devices using
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a landmark paper (Rinzler et al. 1995), low dimensional carbon nano-materials—such as carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and CNTs—have
been paid much attention for their introduction in electrical devices. Needle-shaped
N. Shimoi (B)
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, 6-6-20 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku,
Sendai 980-8579, Japan
e-mail: norihiro.shimoi.c8@tohoku.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_29
413
A Novel Approach to Artificial
Energy-Loss Free Field Emitters: The
Outstanding Cathodic Durability of High
Crystallized Single-Walled Carbon
Nanotubes
Norihiro Shimoi
Abstract We propose a novel approach to improve the durability and energy efficiency of field- emission (FE) devices with a simple structure employing high crystallized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) produced by high-temperature
annealing as the cathode material. We succeeded in establishing the generality and
efficacy underlying the electrical conductivity of a SWCNT by control of the crystallinity. We measured the FE durability and current fluctuation of the high crystallized SWCNTs, and found them to exhibit good stability for more than 1000 h with
a high FE current density of 30 mA/cm
2 under an applied DC voltage. Moreover,
we designed and successfully constructed elements of a planar electron emission
source device composed of a cathode employing highly purified, crystalline SWCNTs
dispersed homogeneously in organic solutions by a multi-step dispersion method.
It was further confirmed that the field emitters with the high crystallized SWCNTs
can be used in breakthrough applications with high loadings of over 3 A. Our new
devices may have a significant impact as planar FE emission devices employing
purified and high crystallized SWCNTs have a remarkable potential to indicate a
new and excellent approach for establishing an artificial energy-loss free device.
Keywords High crystallization · Single-walled carbon nanotube · Low power
consumption · Field emission · Planar lighting
29.1 Introduction
Since Rinzler et al. predicted the possibility of creating electrical devices using
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a landmark paper (Rinzler et al. 1995), low dimensional carbon nano-materials—such as carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and CNTs—have
been paid much attention for their introduction in electrical devices. Needle-shaped
N. Shimoi (B)
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, 6-6-20 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku,
Sendai 980-8579, Japan
e-mail: norihiro.shimoi.c8@tohoku.ac.jp
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_29
413