Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of silver nanowires by polyol process

Abstract

Silver nanowires have been synthesized by the polyol process with ethylene glycol as a reducing agent and polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer, using microwave technique. Crystallographic, topographic, and morphological characterizations of the synthesized nanostructures have been studied via powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) and Transmission Electron Microscope, respectively. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravometric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have been carried out for the detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses. Optical characterizations of the synthesized silver nanowires have been concluded via energy-resolved and time-resolved photoluminescence and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic studies, respectively. Spectroscopic studies confirm the formation of good-quality silver nanowires. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation and Raman spectra further show that the PVP molecules are adsorbed on the surface of Ag nanowires through Ag: O coordination. A possible growth mechanism of the Ag nanowires has been proposed. It is implied that the PVP molecules are used as both a protecting agent and a structure-directing agent for the growth of Ag nanowires. These studies confirm the formation of high-quality silver nanowires. Topographic and morphological studies confirm that average grain size of silver nanowires is in the nanometer range.