Method of forming field emission cathodes by co-electrodeposition

A method of forming a field emission cathode, comprising:

• forming a field emission material, comprising:
• mixing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and a poly (3,4-ethylendioxythiophene)-poly (styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT:
• PSS) solution in water at a ratio to form a base mixture;
• exposing the base mixture to an ultrasonic dispersion process at a power of greater than 1 W/cm2 and at a frequency of about 20-50 kHz;
• introducing at least one matrix particle, at least one metal salt, at least one charger, or a combination thereof to the base mixture to form a field emission material precursor, the at least one metal salt being different from the at least one charger;
• and
• exposing the field emission material precursor to an ultrasonic dispersion process at a power of less than 1 W/cm2 and at a frequency of greater than 50 kHz to form the field emission material comprising a stable suspension of the field emission material precursor;
• depositing a layer of the field emission material on to at least a portion of a substrate via a co-electrodeposition process;
• drying the layer and the substrate at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 150° C. at atmosphere or under a vacuum;
• annealing the layer and the substrate at a temperature of about 300° C. to about 1000° C. under a vacuum;
• and
• activating the layer of the field emission material to obtain the field emission cathode.