Polyol synthesis of silver nanostructures: Inducing the growth of nanowires by a heat-up process

The polyol synthesis of silver (Ag) nanostructures typically involves the rapid injection of Ag precursor to a preheated, ethylene glycol solution containing polymeric stabilizers and other additives. Here we report that Ag nanowires can be synthesized in high yields by applying a heat-up process in the polyol synthesis. Electron microscopy studies revealed that multiple-twinned Ag seeds were generated preferentially during the heat-up procedure, and then grew into nanowires. We also demonstrate that these Ag nanowires can be applied as electrode materials for the fabrication of flexible and transparent organic field-effect transistors with a reasonably high hole-mobility.