Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. The properties of CNTs before and after vacuum annealing treatment were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Field emission characteristics of the raw and vacuum heated (up to 650C) carbon nanotube films (CNTFs) were measured in a diode system. Emissive properties of the CNTFs depend on an annealing process during which structural changes in the nanotube walls take place. The structural changes, related to saturation of dangling bonds, influence a rate of oxidation process and also improve the emissive field properties.