Low temperature synthesis and growth mechanism of Ag nanowires

Silver nanorods and nanowires were successfully synthesized by converting nanoparticles at a relatively low temperature of 50 degrees C. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate with hydrazine in the presence of tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB), decanoic acid, and dodecylamine. The aspect ratio could be controlled over a wide range, from I to 70 by varying the reaction time and temperature. A transmission electron microscopy study indicates that the ends of the nanowire are terminated by four {1 1 1} facets arranged radially to the < 1 0 0 > direction of elongation and side walls of the nanowires along the length is surrounded by < 1 1 0 > facets. The very selective Ag ions diffusion onto the highly reactive < 1 1 1 > facets is supposed to result in the anisotropic growth.) (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.