Polymer-controlled synthesis of silver nanobelts and hierarchical nanocolumns

Single-crystalline silver nanobelts larger than 10 mu m in length, 60-100 nm in width, and 30-40 nm in thickness were synthesized facilely in aqueous solutions under the direction of poly( acrylic acid) at 4 degrees C. With the addition of acetic acid to the solution, unique hierarchical silver nanocolumns consisting of stacked nanoplates were fabricated.