Unique quasi-vertical alignment of RGO sheets under an applied non-uniform DC electric field for enhanced field emission

Abstract

In this paper, we report unique quasi-vertical alignment of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets under an applied non-uniform high DC electric field deposited on a carbon cloth (CC) substrate, which eventually resulted in enhanced field emission characteristics. Significant improvement in enhancement factor was achieved with major increment in current due to the alignment of thin RGO edges under an applied non-uniform electric field. The non-uniform field was generated by the conical shape of the top electrode (anode). Moreover, the experimental findings have been validated through simulated modeling of the electric field over RGO sheets using the finite element method for both planar and conical top electrode geometrical configurations. This observed phenomenon could have a potential fundamental impact on field emission applications with vertically aligned graphene and RGO based materials in the coming years.