Synthesis and electron emission properties of MgO nanowires

In this work, MgO nanowires electron emission properties, including both secondary and field emission, are reported. Our MgO nanowires were synthesized on stainless steel substrates by thermal vapor deposition at the temperatures of 830-850 degC in a vacuum chamber. The mixed gas of Ar and O₂ (50:1) was introduced to the chamber during deposition. The evaporation source was a Magnesium strip laid on top of the boat, where the substrates were laid on both sides. The SEE properties of MgO nanowires were measured in a modified scanning electron microscope (SEM). The field emission performance of MgO nanowires was tested by using a transparent anode technique in a vacuum chamber.