A facile approach for the synthesis of Cu2-x Se nanowires and their field emission properties

Single-crystalline Cu_2-x Se nanowires with high aspect ratio on copper substrate have been achieved by a simple hydrothermal route. Based on in situ TEM studies, while utilizing integrated STM holder measuring their electrical conductivities, it is confirmed that single-crystalline Cu _2-x Se nanowire was very good match the semiconducting characteristic. An electron source device using as-prepared Cu_2-x Se nanowires on the Cu substrate has been first fabricated, which shows excellent field emission (FE) properties: the emitting current density as high as 0.83 μA/cm² at an applied field of 5.5 V/μm, suggesting that the Cu_2-x Se nanowire may be potentially applied in the vacuum microelectronics industry. Graphical Abstract: Single-crystalline Cu _2-x Se nanowires with high aspect ratio on copper substrate have been achieved by a simple hydrothermal route. In-situ electricity properties measurement clearly illustrated that the Cu_2-x Se nanowires exhibited excellent electronic properties. An electron source device using as-prepared Cu_2-x Se nanowires on the Cu substrate has been first fabricated that shows excellent FE properties.[Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.