Decoration of nitrogen vacancies by oxygen atoms has been studied by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) around B K-edge in several boron nitride (BN) structures, including bamboo-like and multi-walled BN nanotubes. Breaking of B-N bonds and formation of nitrogen vacancies under low-energy ion bombardment reduces oxidation resistance of BN structures and promotes an efficient oxygen-healing mechanism, in full agreement with some recent theoretical predictions. The formation of mixed O-B-N and B-O bonds is clearly identified by well-resolved peaks in NEXAFS spectra of excited boron atoms.

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We have studied the electronic structure of nitinol exposed to low-energy oxygen-ion bombardment, using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. XPS spectra reveal a gradual transformation of nitinol surfaces into TiO2 with increased dose of implanted oxygen. No oxidation of Ni atoms has been detected. NEXAFS spectra around O K-edge and Ti L2,3-edge, reflecting the element-specific partial density of empty electronic states, exhibit features, which can be attributed to the creation of molecular orbitals, crystal field splitting, and the absence of long-range order, characteristic of the amorphous TiO2. Based on these results, we discuss the oxidation kinetics of nitinol under low-energy oxygen-ion bombardment.