Resonant behavior observed in electron field emission from acid functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Acid functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube ink was deposited onto carbon fiber fabric via dip coating. Repeatable staircaselike current-field curves were observed in the field emission data. These atypical curves are attributed to resonant tunneling through localized surface states in a quantum well structure, which arises due to the presence of the surface carboxylic functional group. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.