Field emission characteristics of MWCNT- bimetal (Cu and In) hybrids: Correlation with morphology, microstructure and electronic structure

•The first ever study on MWCNT-Bimetal hybrids for field emission applications has been carried out.•In-Cu-MWCNTs exhibit an enhancement in their current density (7.46 mA/cm2) in comparison to the current density (2.83 mA/cm2) of pristine MWCNTs.•The study suggests that variations in the work function, graphitic content, and electronic structure are responsible for the enhancement in current density and reduction in the threshold and turn-on electric fields.•Apart from conventional parameters, like work function and field enhancement factor, there is a strong correlation between morphology, microstructure, and electronic structure with the field emission characteristics of CNT-bimetal hybrids.