Decoration of nitrogen vacancies by oxygen atoms in boron nitride nanotubes

Decoration of nitrogen vacancies by oxygen atoms has been studied by near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) around B K-edge in several boron nitride (BN) structures, including bamboo-like and multi-walled BN nano-tubes. Breaking of B-N bonds and formation of nitrogen vacancies under low-energy ion bombardment reduces oxidation resistance of BN structures and promotes an efficient oxygen- healing mechanism, in full agreement with some recent theoretical predictions. The forma-tion of mixed O-B-N and B- O bonds is clearly identified by well resolved peaks in NEXAFS spectra of excited boron atoms.