Sodium chloride assisted synthesis of silver nanowires

Silver nanowires with diameters of about 100 nm and lengths up to several micrometres have been synthesised by a developed polyol process with the assistance of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium chloride (NaCl) on a large scale. Transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected areas electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction have been employed to characterise silver nanowires. The role of NaCl for the formation of silver nanowires has been discussed by taking into account the formation of silver chloride (AgCl) to consume silver ions and reduce the rate of nucleation.