Nanowire formation in a polymeric film

Abstract

Silver nanowires of diameter ∼2 nm and length ∼2 mm have been grown by an electrodeposition method within a polyvinyl alcohol film subjected to a two-stage treatment, viz., in ammonium persulphate and pyrrole solutions, respectively. A staircase current–voltage characteristic has been measured in this composite. Also, the material shows a dielectric constant ∼104. Both these effects are observed when the applied electric field is in a direction perpendicular to that of the electrodeposition process.