Large-scaled and homogeneous multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) films have been fabricated using the soluble octadecylamine (ODA) modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes at room temperature by a spin-coating method. The characterization, by means of electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy, shows that the surfaces of MWNTs-ODA with hydrogen plasma treatment are covered by the carbon nanoparticles. The field emission test indicates that the treated MWNTs-ODA film has low turn-on emission field of 0.5 V/mum at 0.1 muA/cm(2) of current density, high-emission luminescent site density of about 10(4)/cm(2). (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.