demonstrate that near-edge X-ray-absorption fine-structure spectroscopy combined with full-field transmission X-ray microscopy can be used to study the electronic structure of suspended carbon nanohorns. Based on reports of electronic structure calculations additional spectral features observed in the pi region of the NEXAFS spectrum recorded on the carbon nanohorns were associated to the presence of the pentagonal rings and the folding of the graphene sheet. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.