Effect of Dispersants on Morphology and Field Emission Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Film Prepared by Electrophoretic Deposition

Acetone, isopropanol (IPA), mixed solution of acetone and alcohol were used as dispersants to prepare carbon nanotubes (CNTs) films on silicon substrates by electrophoretic deposition. The surface morphology of different films were observed by optical microscopy with ultra depth of filed and scanning electron microscopy, and field emission characteristics of CNTs film cathode were tested in vaccum. The results show that the surface of CNTs film prepared by dispersant of IPA was uniform and continuous, its field emission property was fairly good, and the turn-on electric field and threshold electric field were respectively 0.188, 2.8 V·μm-1.