MXene-tailored CNT cold cathodes and self-powered electron emitters toward plasma generation

X Xinyi Wang Y Yarong Zhou (Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University 1 , Lanzhou 730070,) Y Yun Zhao (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) J Jiangtao Chen J Jian Wang B Bingjun Yang (Research Center of Resource Chemistry and Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication) A Andong Wu (Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Lanzhou 730000,) X Xuqiang Zhang (Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University , Lanzhou 730070,) J Jianbiao Chen (Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University , Lanzhou 730070,) Y Yan Li

Abstract

The fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT) field emitters usually involves a complicated process and shows poor adhesion to the substrate, which leads to inferior electron emission. Taking advantage of Ti3C2 MXene in film-forming, we have prepared CNT/MXene field emitters on various substrates. The emitter on stainless steel achieves an outstanding continuous emission density of 125 mA cm−2 and a pulse emission up to 750 mA cm−2. In addition, the arrayed CNT/MXene emitter on structured polydimethylsiloxane displays a current density of 73.9 mA cm−2 at a low field of 2.5 V µm−1, as well as good stability for 13.8 h. Meanwhile, the CNT/MXene emitter could operate when powered by a triboelectric nanogenerator, and the result indicates that CNT/MXene emitter can be used as a generator for producing plasma in air. The work opens a strategy to fabricate superior CNT cathodes on various substrates and holds great promise for practical applications in cold electron vacuum electronics and self-powered devices.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 10
Published September 08, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

X

Xinyi Wang

Y

Yarong Zhou

Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University 1 , Lanzhou 730070,

Y

Yun Zhao

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

J

Jiangtao Chen

J

Jian Wang

B

Bingjun Yang

Research Center of Resource Chemistry and Energy Materials, State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication

A

Andong Wu

Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences 3 , Lanzhou 730000,

X

Xuqiang Zhang

Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University , Lanzhou 730070,

J

Jianbiao Chen

Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province, College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University , Lanzhou 730070,

Y

Yan Li