Highly Efficient Field Emission Properties of Vertically Aligned 2D CuSe Nanosheets: an Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

Abstract We report the synthesis of klockmannite (CuSe) via a three-probe electrochemical set-up (chronoampereometry). The structural properties are examined by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analysis revealed the formation of vertically aligned CuSe nanosheets with average thickness of 34 nm and average lateral size of 700 nm. The CuSe nanosheets exhibit impressive field electron emission characteristics with a turn-on field of 1.4 V/µm for 10 µA/cm2 emission current density. Also, a high current density of 5.8 mA/cm2 is observed at a relatively low applied field of 3.1 V/µm. Complementary first-principles DFT calculations show that CuSe display metallic conductivity, and the (001) surface has a low work function of 5.12 eV, which is believe to be responsible for the impressive field emission characteristics.