Results from electron field-emission studies using arrays of patterned carbon nanofiber bundles are reported. We find that the desired field-emission characteristics were not compromised when a protective coating consisting of a layer of palladium of 5 and 30 nm thickness was applied. Following exposure to a hydrogen plasma for several hours we find that the coatings impede plasma damage significantly, whereas the field-emission properties of uncoated nanofibers degraded much more rapidly. The results demonstrate that carbon nanofibers with protective conformal metal coatings can be integrated into harsh plasma environments enabling a range of applications such as field-ionization ion sources and advanced (micro)-plasma discharges. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.