Aggregation-based growth of silver nanowires at room temperature

We describe an aggregation-based growth mechanism for formation of silver nanowires at room temperature. It is found that the pH of solution and the concentration of l-cysteine capping molecules have an important effect on the formation and growth of nanowires. Characterization by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and UV–vis spectroscopy recorded as time clearly shows that the silver nanowires are grown at the expense of nanoparticles.