EPR spectroscopy of neutron irradiated nanocrystalline boron nitride (h-BN) particles

Paramagnetic centers in the nanocrystalline boron nitride (h-BN) particles were comparatively studied before and after neutron irradiation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopic analyzes were performed in the broad range of magnetic field from 0.05 to 0.55 T (500-5500 Gauss). The range of 0.3270-0.3370 T was additionally sweeped, where more paramagnetic centers were observed. The nature of the new paramagnetic centers formed as a result of neutron transmutation in the BN nanoparticles were examined by EPR spectra. Formation mechanism of VB and VN vacancies has been studied in detail by neutron transmutations.

Automated summary

Paramagnetic centers in nanocrystalline boron nitride particles were studied before and after neutron irradiation, with more paramagnetic centers observed in the range of 0.3270-0.3370 T. The formation mechanism of VB and VN vacancies through neutron transmutations was examined in detail.