Rapid Synthesis of Silver Nanowires

The presence of either copper(I) or copper(II) chloride in the polyol reduction of silver nitrate facilitates the production of silver nanowires. Silver nanowires have applications in many areas, including electronics and catalysis. These wires are produced quickly (in approximately one hour), with the synthesis being easily performed in disposable glass vials, using only pipettes to deliver reagents. Specifically, silver nitrate is reduced by ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and copper(II) chloride. PVP acts as a stabilizing agent, while the copper chloride likely controls the rate of silver(I) reduction and initial seed formation. Our results indicate that both the copper and chloride ions are necessary to synthesize the wires; otherwise, ill-defined silver particles are formed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to characterize the wires.