Correlation of x-ray absorption and x-ray photoemission spectroscopies in amorphous carbon nitride

The nature of bonding in amorphous carbon nitride was studied by synchrotron-radiation photoemission spectroscopy and near-edge x-ray-absorption fine structure. The experimental data are compared with theoretical calculations of chemical shifts, and the relative importance of initial and final state effects is discussed. Bond lengths are determined from the position of the ${\sigma }^{*}$ resonance and the obtained results suggest ${\mathrm{sp}}^2$ hybridization. The experimental and theoretical evidence presented in this paper supports another interpretation of the photoemission spectra of amorphous carbon nitride.