Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and field emission behaviour of 3D chrysanthemum like pristine ReS 2 , and ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite

Abstract 3D chrysanthemum like pristine ReS 2 and nanocomposite of ReS 2 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been synthesized using facile one step hydrothermal method, followed by physico-chemical characterizations to reveal their phase, structural and electronic properties. Efforts have been made to reveal the influence of process parameters on morphology and growth of the as-synthesized products. From application point of view, field emission (FE) behavior of pristine ReS 2 and ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite emitters has been investigated at base pressure of 1 × 10 –8 torr. The ReS 2 and ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite emitters showed values of turn-on field (corresponding to emission current density of 1 μ A cm −2 ) as 2.10 and 1.66 V μ m −1 , and field enhancement factor ( β ) as ∼965 and 1176, Furthermore, the ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite emitter delivered maximum emission current density of ∼1472 μ A cm −2 at applied field of 3.1 V μ m −1 . Both the emitters exhibited good emission current stability at pre-set value ∼5 μ A over more than 3 h duration. The superior FE properties of the ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite emitter are attributed to optimized morphology offering high field enhancement factor coupled with modulation of electronic properties reflected as lowering of the work function. The value of work function of ReS 2 -rGO nanocomposite, measured using a retarding field analyzer, is found to be 4.29, lower than that of the pristine sample (4.49 eV). The results signify that functionality of pristine nanostructures is greatly improved via formation of nanocomposites and desirable nanocomposites possessing unique morphology can be synthesized under optimized experimental conditions using a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal route.