Fabrication of field emission display prototype utilizing printed carbon nanotubes/nanofibers emitters

Carbon nanotubes/nanofibers (CNTs) used as emitters, diode-type field emission display (FED) prototypes of dot matrix and character image were fabricated by low-cost techniques and equipments, respectively. The technical development in the design and fabrication of the cathode, the anode and the panel are described. CNTs were produced by a simple, low-cost and easily-controllable thermal chemical vapor deposition. The cathode was prepared by the screen-printing method and its field emission characteristics were enhanced by a heat post-treatment in H₂ gas atmosphere. The panel structure was packaged by a vacuum fluorescent display-like process and vacuum-sealed through an exhausting glass tube. The fully-sealed CNTs FED (c-FED) showed good emission property and uniformity. The brightness of 600 cd/m² was achieved from the yellow phosphor below a relatively low applied electric field. The developed technology has potential practical application in c-FED.