Speedy fabrication of diameter-controlled Ag nanowires using glycerol under microwave irradiation conditions

Diameter-controlled Ag nanowires were rapidly fabricated (1 min) using inexpensive, abundant, and environmentally-friendly glycerol as both a reductant and solvent under non-stirred microwave irradiation conditions; no Ag particles were formed using conventional heating methods. The temperature and pressure of the reaction systems were monitored to investigate the role of microwaves in the assembly of nanowires.