Effect of Different Mediated Agents on Morphology and Crystallinity of Synthesized Silver Nanowires Prepared by Polyol Process

Synthesis and characterization of multiple crystalline silver nanowires NWs with uniform diameters were carried out by using 1,2-propandiol and ethylene glycol EG as comediated solvents and FeCl3 as mediated agent in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone PVP. Experimental data and structural characterizations revealed that AgNWs have evolved from the multiple crystalline seeds initially generated by reduction of AgNO3 with EG and 1,2-propandiol followed by reducing FeIII to FeII which in turn reacts with and removes adsorbed atomic oxygen from the surfaces of silver seeds. In addition, uniform silver nanowires were obtained by using FeCl2 and AlCl3 as mediated agents in EG solution. Field emission scanning electron microscopy FESEM and transmission electron microscopy TEM showed uniform nanowires in both diameter and length. UV-Vis spectra showed adsorption peaks confirming the formation of nanowires. X-ray diffraction XRD patterns displayed the final product with high crystallinity and purity. In this study, a growth mechanism for forming AgNWs was proposed and a comparison between different mediated agents was carried out.