Field emission from individual B–C–N nanotube rope

The field-emission characteristics of individual ropes made of B–C–N nanotubes were measured in situ in a low-energy electron point source microscope. The tungsten field emission tip of the microscope was used as a movable electrode, approaching the rope, and acting as an anode during field-emission measurements. The atomic structure and chemical composition of the ropes were analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The tubes assembled within the ropes typically revealed open-tip ends, a small number of layers and zigzag chirality. We found that the field-emission properties of the B–C–N nanotube ropes are competitive with conventional C nanotubes, with the expected additional benefit that the B–C–N ropes exhibit higher environmental stability.