Carbon ion beam irradiation-induced effects on structural, morphological and optical properties of boron nitride nanowires

Abstract Carbon ion beam irradiation-induced effects on structural, morphological and optical properties of boron nitride nanowires (BN-NWs) have been investigated in this study. The BN-NWs samples were irradiated at three different doses as 1×10 14 , 5×10 14 and 1×10 15  ions/cm 2 at room temperature. The irradiated samples were explored using SEM, XRD, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy. SEM images clearly indicated the fusion or coalescence of BN-NWs at the junction points. XRD analysis showed the hexagonal phase of BN-NWs which remained stable after carbon ion irradiation. FTIR spectra of pristine and irradiated samples exhibited the changes in chemical composition of BN-NWs and a new band (C–N) was also observed after carbon ion beam irradiation. Optical properties of BN-NWs were studied using UV–vis spectrometer. Bandgap analysis revealed that the bandgap of irradiated samples was found to be decreased as compared with the pristine samples. This phenomenon is attributed to the irradiation-induced defects in the samples.