Synthesis of AgNWs using copper bromide as stabilizing agent and oxygen scavenger and their application in conductive thin films

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have attracted growing interest because of their wide range of applications in modern nano electronic appliances. During polyol method, the presence of cations and anions in the reaction solution has influence on the final morphology of AgNWs. Here we report a feasible way to prepare AgNWs by polyol method. Copper bromide (CuBr2) salt was used to provide anions and cations in the reaction solution. The anions (Br−) helps in reducing the amount of free Ag+ by forming silver bromide (AgBr) during initial silver seeds formation and the cations scavenge oxygen from the surface of AgNWs during preferential growth of the AgNWs. Ethylene glycol (EG) was used as a solvent and reducing agent, silver nitrate (AgNO3) was used as Ag source and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was used as a capping agent. The effects of various factors which influence the final morphology of AgNWs were studied. AgNWs were successfully synthesized in the presence of CuBr2 salt. The morphology of the synthesized AgNWs was characterized by the SEM and TEM. The crystallinity was characterized by HRTEM, SAED and XRD. The LSPR peaks of Ag nanostructures were revealed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The conductive properties of AgNWs thin conductive films were studied by coating the synthesized nanowires on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. •A novel and efficient synthesis of silver nanowires.•CuBr2 is a new and good stabilizing and oxygen scavenger.•Controlled morphology of silver nanowires.