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

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 1×1014, 5×1014 and 1×1015 ions/cm2 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.