Evidence for multiple polytypes of semiconducting boron carbide (C₂B₁₀) from electronic structure

Abstract

Boron carbides fabricated via plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition from different isomeric source compounds with the same C2B10H12 closo-icosahedral structure result in materials with very different direct (optical) band gaps. This provides compelling evidence for the existence of multiple polytypes of C2B10 boron carbide and is consistent with electron diffraction results.