Enhanced field emission from H 2 plasma-treated α-Fe 2O 3 nanowires

Hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanowires were synthesized by the thermal oxidation of Fe-Ni alloy grids at 900 degrees C. The effects of hydrogen (H-2) plasmas on the morphology and field emission properties of hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) nanowires were investigated. Many nanocrystallites with sharp tips were found to be produced on the surface of the originally smooth nanowires after H2 plasmas treatment. Field emission measurements demonstrated that the treated alpha-Fe2O3 nanowires possessed much better performance with turn-on field of similar to 3.7 V/mu m at 0.1 mu A/cm(2) of current density, compared with the as-grown samples.