Electronic and structural properties of amorphous carbon–nitrogen alloys

Abstract The main interest in carbon–nitrogen alloys (a-CNx) stems from theoretical predictions of a metastable silicon-nitride-like phase, i.e. β-C3N4. This phase is expected to have insulating properties, hardness, and thermal conductivity comparable to those of a diamond. Also, the amorphous phase of the material has interesting electronic and structural properties. We report the evolution of the electronic and structural properties of the amorphous phase (a-CNx) on nitrogen content prepared by dual-ion beam-assisted-deposition. Some properties of a material obtained by arc discharge are also reported and discussed.