Synthesis of carborane and boron‐rich films from solid diborane using synchrotron radiation

Photoemission and boron K‐edge spectra from solid diborane on silver or graphite surfaces were measured before and after exposure to synchrotron radiation at 78 K. Exposing condensed diborane on a silver support to synchrotron radiation produced a boron‐rich film that was retained on the surface at 300 K. A surface phase whose valence and near‐edge spectra resembled o‐carborane was created by a photon or photoelectron‐induced reaction between graphite and diborane.