Large　scale　zinc　oxide　(ZnO)-adhering　patterned　graphene　cathodes　were　realized　by　using　spin-coating　technique,　and　their　field　emission　characteristics　were　investigated.　The　graphene　sheets　edges　are　extracted　from　the　hybrid　cathode　to　form　emission　centers,　leading　to　high　field　enhancement　and　low　threshold　field.　The　ZnO　film　improves　the　interface　contact　and　adhesion　of　graphene　sheets　with　the　electrode　and　acts　as　negative　feedback　resistive　layer,　which　contributes　to　the　uniformity　and　long-time　stability.　Our　study　opens　up　avenues　for　application　of　graphene　sheets　in　field　emission　device　utilizing　efficient,　large　scale,　pattern　and　low-cost　technology.　©　2012　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.