Template-synthesized BN : C nanoboxes

Box-shaped nanostructures of B-C-N compounds were synthesized by reactive s puttering of boron carbide in mixed argon and nitrogen discharges. Transmis sion electron microscopy showed that these nanoboxes were grown on self-pat terned NaCl substrate with projected areas ranging from similar to 1x10(2) to similar to 5x10(4) nm(2), sizes 50-100 nm, and number density similar to 100 mu m(-2). Electron energy loss spectroscopy revealed a phase separatio n of BN and C:N layers. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951 (00)00507-6].