Enhanced field emission performance of MXene-TiO2 composite films.

A facile method to produce an MXene-TiO2 composite is demonstrated for enhanced field emission display applications. The field emission performance of two-dimensional free-standing and linear-shaped field emitters has been systematically investigated and enhanced electron emission behaviors (e.g. emission current, stability and emission patterns) are achieved by compositing MXene and TiO2 nanowires. The relationship between the emission current density, electric field and anode-cathode gap distance is studied and the emitters, especially the cross-section of the composite film, show good performance. The emission current from the cross-section of the composite film can reach 289 mA cm-2, which is the best result of the state of the art compared to single MXene and TiO2 nanowires. We have also reported a triboelectric nanogenerator powered by free-standing MXene-TiO2 composite emitters, implying the feasibility of the self-powering field emission devices and possibly enlarging the applications of cold emitters in various fields.