Ag nanowires prepared by a modified polyol method with 1,4-benzoquinone additives

This paper describes a selective synthetic method of fabricating Ag nanowires by using a modified polyol process. To synthesize the Ag nanowire, an ethylene glycolic solution of silver nitrate and an ethylene glycolic solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone solution containing a small amount of organic oxidant, 1,4-benzoquinone, were slowly added to a hot ethylene glycol medium at 160°C for 8 min using a syringe pump. The reaction mixtures were heated for an additional 45 min and cooled to room temperature. Finally, the silver nanomaterials were isolated from the mixture by centrifugation. The crystal structure of the nanomaterials was investigated by powder X-ray diffraction analyses, and their morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. A small amount of organic oxidant, 1,4-benzoquinone, played a significant role in controlling the morphology during crystal growth. Consequently, Ag nanowires rather than Ag nanoparticles were selectively obtained.