Decreasing Work Function of Carbon Nanotubes Hydrogenated in Hydrogen Plasma

Experimental data showing a decrease in the work function of carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles and arrays hydrogenated in hydrogen-containing plasma are presented. This plasma treatment leads to hydrogen chemisorption on CNTs, which results in a work-function decrease from 4.8 to 3.3 eV. The experimental data confirm quantum-mechanical calculations for single-walled CNTs of variable chirality. Calculations indicate that a decrease in the CNT work function depends on both the properties of CNT and the degree of its passivation by hydrogen.