Importance of cations and anions from control agents in the synthesis of silver nanowires by polyol method

Abstract

The important influence of cations and anions, such as Fe3+, Cu2+, H+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO4 2− and NO3 − from control agents on the growth of silver nanowires (AgNWs) by polyol method are seriously studied. The products with silver nanostructures are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effect of slow release of Ag+, low value of solubility product constant due to anions and decrease in surface oxidation etching effect due to cations on silver nanostructures are discussed. The results demonstrate that strong oxidative activeness of cation makes a greater contribution to high purity of AgNWs, especially with the aid of Cl−. This work provides a simple, efficient and controllable method for high-yield production of long AgNWs.