Molybdenum nano emitters: the effect of the structural feature on oxygen damage immunity

The structural feature of molybdenum (Mo) nano emitters has a significant effect on their field emission reliability in the oxidizing environment. Mo nanowalls have been studied to exhibit high oxygen damage immunity. The two-dimensional (2D) nanostructure has shown stable and recoverable field emission performance during oxygen exposure in the order of magnitude of 10−4 Pa. By contrast, quasi 1D nanoscrews have more easily suffered irreversible emission degradation due to more serious oxygen molecule and ion erosion at a higher local electric field around the emitter surface. The 2D wall-like structure with a large emission edge has been proven to contribute to such strong immunity. The results indicate that the Mo nanowall emitter apparently could work properly in the vacuum environment with a certain amount of oxygen.