This work investigates the growth of B-C-N layers by chemical vapor
deposition using methylamine borane (MeAB) as single-source precursor. MeAB has
been synthesized and characterized, paying particular attention to the analysis
of its thermolysis products, which are the gaseous precursors for B-C-N growth.
Samples have been grown on Cu foils and transferred onto different substrates
for their morphological, structural, chemical, electronic and optical
characterizations. The results of these characterizations indicate a
segregation of h-BN and Graphene-like (Gr) domains. However, there is an
important presence of B and N interactions with C at the Gr borders, and of C
interacting at the h-BN-edges, respectively, in the obtained nano-layers. In
particular, there is significant presence of C-N bonds, at Gr/h-BN borders and
in the form of N doping of Gr domains. The overall B:C:N contents in the layers
is close to 1:3:1.5. A careful analysis of the optical bandgap determination of
the obtained B-C-N layers is presented, discussed and compared with previous
seminal works with samples of similar composition.Comment: 35 pages, 7 figure