High performance materials and processes for manufacture of nanostructures for use in electron emitter ion and direct charging devices

A charging device comprising:

• a plurality of nanostructures configured in an array having a density of less than about 109 nanostructures/cm2, each of the plurality of nanostructures comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a first electrode and the second end is positioned to emit electrons, wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures is formed of one or more of oxidation resistant metals, doped metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, doped metal oxides, and ceramics, and wherein at least one portion of each nanostructure comprises one or more barrier layer coatings disposed thereover to serve as a filter;
• a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a gap, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed in an environment comprising a gas;
• a receptor positioned adjacent to the gap separating the first electrode and the second electrode;
• an aperture electrode in close proximity to the gap separating the first electrode and the second electrode and positioned in between the receptor and the first electrode and the second electrode;
• a first power supply to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode;
• and
• a second power supply to apply voltage between the aperture electrode and the receptor.

A method of charging a receptor in a charging device, the method comprising:

• forming a plurality of nanostructures of one or more of oxidation resistant metals, doped metals, metal oxides, metal alloys, doped metal oxides, and ceramics over a first electrode, wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to a first electrode and the second end positioned to emit electrons, and further configuring the plurality of nanostructures in an array having a density of less than about 109 nanostructures/cm2 with at least one portion of each nanostructure comprising one or more barrier layer coatings to serve as a filter;
• providing a second electrode in close proximity to the first electrode;
• applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a threshold electric field for electron emission is less than about 5.5 V/μm;
• supplying a gaseous material between the first electrode and the second electrode, such that an electric field on the plurality of nanostructures ionizes at least a portion of the gaseous material;
• and
• directing the ionized gaseous material towards a receptor.

A charging device comprising:

• a plurality of nanostructures configured in an array having a density of less than about 109 nanostructures/cm2, each of the plurality of nanostructures comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a first electrode and the second end positioned to emit electrons, and wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures is formed of one or more of oxidation resistant metals, doped metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, doped metal oxides, and ceramics, and wherein one or more barrier layer coatings are disposed over at least one portion of each nanostructure to serve as a filter;
• a receptor positioned in close proximity to the first electrode, the receptor having a ground plane;
• and
• a first power supply to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the receptor to enable generation of a plurality of charged species in a gas that is deposited on the receptor.