X-ray absorption near edge structure study of BN nanotubes and nanothorns

Two boron nitride (BN) nanostructures, the bamboo-like nanotubes and nanothorns where the nanosize h-BN layers are randomly stacked looking like thorns were synthesized. The study suggests that the N enrichment would decrease the band gap of nanostructures from that of h-BN microcrystals.