A field emission display device (1) includes a cathode plate (20), an electrically resistive buffer (30) made from carbon formed on the cathode plate, electron emitters (40) made from carbon formed on the buffer, and an anode plate (50) spaced from the electron emitters thereby defining an interspace region therebetween. Each electron emitter includes a nano-rod. The combined buffer and electron emitters has a gradient distribution of electrical resistivity such that highest electrical resistivity is nearest the cathode plate and lowest electrical resistivity is nearest the anode plate. When emitting voltage is applied between the cathode and anode plates, electrons emitted from the electron emitters traverse the interspace region and are received by the anode plate. Because of the gradient distribution of electrical resistivity, only a very low emitting voltage needs to be applied. Other embodiments include single walled and multi-walled nanotubes (40′, 40″).