Incorporation of boron and nitrogen in carbon nanomaterials and its influence on their structure and opto-electronical properties

Abstract

The presence of hexagonal boron nitride in the initial C:BN:Ni:Y 2O 3 mixture in the arc-discharge process leads to the modification of carbon nanostructures and to the creation of B x C y N z entities. BN-incorporation into these carbon nanostructures (single-wall nanotubes and carbon flakes) has been analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The optical absorption spectroscopy measurements have revealed a monotonous increase of the bandgap value of the synthesized nanotubes with the increase of the content of BN phase in the initial mixture of the synthesis compounds. Furthermore, a narrowing of the nanotube diameter distribution in favor of small diameters takes place in the presence of BN during the synthesis process.