Towards Highly Transparent and Flexible Field Emission Displays Based on Low-Dimensional Nanocarbon

Transparency and flexibility are key words required for the devices of next generation.  This is also the case for displays, for example, highly intelligent information displays for the upcoming ubiquitous world.  To realize the transparent and flexible devices, nanocarbon, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene, are promising.  In the present talk, nanocarbon-based highly transparent and flexible displays will be dealt with.

Field emission displays (FEDs) offer promising advantages such as high brightness, low power consumption, wider viewing angle, etc.  Recently some groups have demonstrated the fabrication of nanocarbon based flexible (opaque) FEDs [1, 2].  The next step is the realization of transparency.  To achieve this, we are tackling several approaches based on single-walled CNTs, ion-induced conical nanocarbons and their hybrid structures formed on transparent and flexible polymer substrates [3-8].  In addition, in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation of graphene and CNT formation from amorphous carbon-based nanofibers by solid phase reaction during field emission process will be demonstrated [9].

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