Thermal decomposition and electrical conductivity of oxide cathode emission materials

Thermal decomposition and electrical conductivity of oxide cathode emission materials used for cathode ray tubes (CRTs) have been studied under different heat treatment conditions for commercial sprayed cathode systems based on barium-strontium carbonate precursors. Conversion of the carbonate precursor commenced at temperatures above approximately 700 K in vacuum, evidenced by increases in conductivity, however, the rate of the conversion reaction increased dramatically as the temperature was increased. The corresponding chemical and microstructural changes have also been investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), with multiple decomposition stages identified corresponding to the conversion of the carbonate precursor and separate activation steps associated with the reaction of barium oxide with the Mg and Al activating agents in the nickel cathode substrate.