Rapid synthesis of silver nanowires through a CuCl- or CuCl₂-mediated polyol process

TLDR

Ions strongly influence the shape and size of silver nanostructures formed by polyol reduction of AgNO₃. The study presents a simple, rapid (~1 h) route to synthesize Ag nanowires using ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing‑agent precursor. The method employs disposable glass vials, pipette‑delivered reagents, PVP as stabilizer, and CuCl or CuCl₂ to limit free Ag⁺ and remove seed‑surface oxygen, enabling rapid nanowire growth. This approach preferentially yields Ag nanowires.

Abstract

The presence of various ions has been shown to have a strong impact on the shape and size of silver nanostructures produced via the polyol reduction of AgNO3. Here we report a simple and rapid (reaction time ∼1 h) route to Ag nanowires, in which ethylene glycol serves as the solvent and a precursor to the reducing agent. The reaction could be performed in disposable glass vials, with all the reagents being delivered using pipettes. In addition to the use of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as a stabilizer, copper (I) or copper (II) chloride had to be added to the reaction to reduce the amount of free Ag+ during the formation of initial seeds and scavenge adsorbed oxygen from the surface of the seeds once formed. In doing so, Ag nanowires were grown preferentially.