The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the temperature range of 500-750 degrees C. The dependence of field emission properties of screen-printed cathode on the CNTs growth temperatures was studied. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Raman spectra showed that with the temperature increasing from 500 degrees C to 750 degrees C, the average diameter of most CNTs decreased, and the crystallinity of the nanotubes increases as shown by the narrower and more intense G peak in the Raman spectra. It is found that the higher growth temperature, the better field emission properties of the screen-printed nanotubes cathodes, i.e. lower turn-on emission field, higher emission current and more uniform emission. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.