In order to clarify the structure of graphitelike B–C–N hybrid thin films, borazine (B3N3H6) ion plasma was implanted in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite at 800°C and room temperature. The films were characterized in situ by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) using linearly polarized synchrotron radiation. The XPS study suggested that B atoms in the deposited films display in a wide variety of chemical bonds, e.g., B–C, B–N, and B–C–N. In the polarization-dependent NEXAFS spectra at the B K edge, the resonance peaks from B 1s to both π*-like and σ*-like orbitals are clearly observed, which suggest the existence of sp2 configuration around the boron atoms. On the basis of the graphitelike polarization dependencies observed in the B 1s→π* resonance peaks for B–C–N films deposited at 800°C, we conclude that the highly oriented graphitelike B–C–N hybrids are stable at low boron content.

Synthesis and characterization of oriented graphitelike B–C–N hybrid