Electron-Beam Induced Growth of Bare Silver Nanowires from Zeolite Crystallites

Abstract

Silver nanowires grow from highly Ag+-loaded zeolitesat the impact of the electron beam from a transmission electron microscope. Both bent, polycrystalline (see Figure), and straight single crystal wires (15 to 150 nm wide, and up to tens of μm long) can be obtained. Their formation can be rationalized as the reduction of Ag+ within the zeolite, accumulation of Ag metal in mesopores, and finally the breaching of the crystallite surface (see the collage of images on the inside front cover).