Inelastic X-ray scattering experiments on B4C under high static pressures

Boron K-edge inelastic X-ray scattering experiments were performed on clean B4C and shock impact recovered boron carbide up to 30 GPa and at ambient temperature to understand the pressure induced bonding changes. The spectral features corresponding to the boron site in the interlinking chain remained unchanged up to 30 GPa. The results of our experiments indicate that pressure induces less distortion to the boron sites and the local amorphization observed in the previous reports are due to the rearrangement of carbon atoms under extreme conditions without affecting the boron environment. Published by Elsevier B.V.