title: Density-controlled, solution-based growth of ZnO nanorod arrays via layer-by-layer polymer thin films for enhanced field emission.
abstract: A simple, scalable, and cost-effective technique for controlling the growth density of ZnO nanorod arrays based on a layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte polymer film is demonstrated. The ZnO nanorods were synthesized using a low temperature (T = 90 °C), solution-based method. The density-control technique utilizes a polymer thin film pre-coated on the substrate to control the mass transport of the reactant to the substrate. The density-controlled arrays were investigated as potential field emission candidates. The field emission results revealed that an emitter density of 7 nanorods µm(-2) and a tapered nanorod morphology generated a high field enhancement factor of 5884. This novel technique shows promise for applications in flat panel display technology.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.forename: Sehoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Srikanth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singamaneni
authors.forename: Won Hee
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Young Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Joonho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: Vladimir V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Tsukruk
authors.forename: Yulin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng