Synthesis of silver nanowires with controlled diameter and their conductive thin films

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) with high uniformity and controlled morphology were synthesized by employing silver nitrate as precursor and ethylene glycol as reducing agent and solvent. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was used as growth controlling agent and the synthetic process was carried out in salt free environment. The effect of reaction parameters like concentration of AgNO₃ and the reaction temperature on the final morphology of AgNWs was studied. AgNWs obtained by changing different conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Synthesized AgNWs were coated on polyethylene terephthalate substrate by spin coating method to make thin conductive flexible film. The silver nanowires film was found to have a sheet resistance of 6.82 Ω/sq.