Boron-doped carbon fullerenes and nanotubules formed through electron irradiation-induced solid-state phase transformation

Here we report on the in situ creation of single/multi-shelled fullerenes and multi-walled nanotubules by electron irradiation of chemical vapor deposit graphitic BxC1−x (x⩽0.2) in a high-resolution 300 kV electron microscope. Nanostructure formation occurred through irradiation-induced solid-state phase transformation, in contrast to conventional fullerene/nanotube synthesis from the gas phase. The fullerene/nanotubule chemical composition and bonding character were analyzed by electron energy loss spectroscopy applying a ∅0.5 nm electron probe. The B/C ratio of the observed curled, closed nanostructures has never exceeded ∼0.1. Unlike pure carbon “onions,” most of the B-doped fullerenes exhibited a polyhedral faceted circumference suggestive of B-induced buckling.