Low-macroscopic field emission properties of wide bandgap copper aluminium oxide nanoparticles for low-power panel applications

Field emission properties of CuAlO2 nanoparticles are reported for the first time, with a low turn-on field of approximately 2 V mu m(-1) and field enhancement factor around 230. The field emission process follows the standard Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling of cold electron emission. The emission mechanism is found to be a combination of low electron affinity, internal nanostructure and large field enhancement at the low-dimensional emitter tips of the nanoparticles. The field emission properties are comparable to the conventional carbon-based field emitters, and thus can become alternative candidate for field emission devices for low-power panel applications.