Controllable synthesis of special reed-leaf-like carbon nanostructures using copper containing catalytic pyrolysis for high-performance field emission

Special reed-leaf-like carbon nanostructures have been realized by using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) under the combined action of copper containing catalytic pyrolysis and ammonia (NH₃) gas. The nucleation and growth mechanisms of CNLs based on growth parameters are discussed. The Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), CNLs and CNT-CNL composites were measured and found to be strongly influenced by the type of gas. Field emission (FE) properties of CNL-CNT composites were observed with a lower turn-on electric field of 0.73 V/μm, and a higher current density of 18.0 mA/cm² at an electric field of 2.65 V/μm, which are superior to those of CNTs and flower-like CNLs. This is because there are more field emitters in CNLs inter-planted in CNTs. We consider that the unique FE stability of CNTs and defects in CNLs play a synergetic role on the improved FE properties.