Improved field emission from appropriately packed TiO2 nanorods: Designing the miniaturization

Abstract An improved electron field emission (FE) property from vertically aligned TiO 2 nanorods (TNR) on conducting fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrate, prepared by hydrothermal technique, has been reported here. The TNRs having high aspect ratio with appropriate separation were prepared by optimizing the nucleation temperature. The TNR density has been optimized to cease the screening effect in closely packed nanorods. The well aligned rods have been designed so that the applied field is equally distributes on each rod to improve the electron emission. The morphology of the nanorod has been studied using scanning electron microscopy and observed FE current density-field response has been analysed within the frame work of Fowler-Nordheim modelling. Two orders of magnitude enhancement in the electric field has been observed for this kind of geometry giving improved turn on field and field enhancement factor of 0.2 V/μm and 37 thousands respectively.