Development of techniques for the formation of a planar electric vacuum diode based on an array of CNTs synthesized at the edge of the Co-Nb-N-(O) film

This work shows the possibility of forming a planar diode structure based on carbon nanotubes formed on a catalytic alloy film Co-Nb-N-(O). The paper presents a technological route for the formation of a planar diode structure Si/SiO2/Si3N4/Co-Nb-N-(O)/SiO2 and studies the emission characteristics. The current-voltage characteristic of the obtained diode structure in the Fowler-Nordheim coordinates is close to linear in the range from 15 to 22 V, which confirms the phenomenon of electron emission.

Mixed oxide growth on combinatorial aluminium–gadolinium alloys — a thermodynamic and first-principles approach

Metal surfaces covered with oxides have attracted considerable scientific attention in various applications. In particular, anodic films fabricated by cost-effective anodizing have been widely used in nano-structured engineering to provide various surface functionalities. However, understanding of alloy film stability, having individual elements with widely varying structures and morphologies, is very limited due to lack of thermodynamic information and effects of electrolyte chemistry. This requires many tedious efforts on a trial and error basis in selecting suitable electrolytes that can produce the protective film at high efficiency on alloys having mixed chemistries. It is, therefore, crucial to develop a combination of high throughput theoretical analysis and automated rapid localized electrochemical probing that provides a fast and simple solution for electrolyte choice and paves the way to the remarkable expansion of industrial applications of oxides. Herein, we demonstrate that combinatorial Al–Gd alloys covering 1.0 to 10.0 at.% Gd can be oxidized into ultra-thin anodic films of controlled thickness through a selection of electrolyte based on thermodynamics (phosphate buffer with a pH of 8.20). We propose that growth of anodic films on alloys at high efficiency is possible if Gibbs free energy minimization criteria would be systematically contemplate. Graphical abstract