 trimethylborate and the alcohol may be methanol. The organoboron precursor may be dissolved in simple alcohols, alkanes, or arenes prior to aerosolization, thereby increasing the percentage of carbon in the resulting BNxOyCz powder. Further, the organoboron precursor may be dissolved in liquid ammonia prior to aerosolization. The aerosolized organoboron precursor and carrier gas, and the nitriding agent are simultaneously swept or injected into the furnace. The flow of the combined gas stream (organoboron precursor and carrier gas) may have a predetermined flow rate. The injection step of the nitriding agent may have a predetermined flow rate. The step of heating the furnace comprises 