A template-free oxide reduction route to silver nanowires

Crystalline silver nanowires, with diameters of 100-500 nm and lengths up to tens of micrometer, were synthesized via a reaction of Cu2O and AgNO3 in aqueous solution mixed with ethanol at room temperature. Cu2O was used as reducing agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The possible mechanism for the formation of silver nanowires is discussed.