High-Brightness Electron Emission from Flexible Carbon Nanotube/Elastomer Nanocomposite Sheets

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/elastomer nanocomposites (CECs) are flexible and easy to fabricate accordng to the required size and form. We succeeded in realizing a uniform dispersion of CNTs in the elastomer matrices of natural rubber (NR). Intense electron emission from the CEC sheets has been confirmed; the threshold electric field is about 1 V/µm, and the saturation current density reaches 10 mA/cm 2 . We discuss composite structures consisting of electrically conductive CNT networks dispersed in the insulating NR matrix. Local electric field is enhanced at the CEC surface, and the low threshold field is attributed to the sharp tips and side walls of bent CNTs that appeared on the surface.